Issue - meetings

Report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance requesting the Panel to note the provisional key stage 1 and 2 results in Southampton for 2018.

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Legal and Governance which recommended that the Panel noted the provisional Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 results. 

Following discussions with Councillor Paffey, Cabinet Member for Aspirations, Schools and Lifelong Learning, Hilary Brooks, Director of Children and Families and Derek Wiles, Service Lead – Education it was noted that:

·  The provisional results were predominantly positive, testament to the quality of schools and teachers in the City, but a number of concerns were raised. 

·  At Key Stage 1 Southampton performed on par with comparators when considering expected levels of performance but had fallen behind when factoring in ‘greater depth’ results.

·  At Key Stage 2 there were strong improvements in the percentage of Southampton pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. 

·  Significant progress had been made with regards to the percentage of Southampton pupils that had achieved the High Standard in Maths at Key Stage 2.  The support provided by the Solent Maths Hub and the engagement with Shanghai maths teachers were identified as contributory factors in the improved performance. 

·  Concerns were raised about the poor performance relating to the percentage of pupils that had achieved the High Standard in Writing at key Stage 2.  The Panel were informed that improving performance in this area would be a priority moving forward. 

·  The Panel commented on the wide variations in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 performance outcomes across Southampton schools.  Additional support was provided by School Improvement Officers to schools identified as needing extra support.  In addition peer to peer support had been utilised whereby high performing teachers in a subject supported a cluster of schools to improve outcomes.