Agenda item

The Select Committee gave consideration to a report which provided the position statement on education standards n Oldham in 2019 as indicated by outcomes across Key Stages and in Ofsted Inspections in order to:

·       Take informed positions on issues which affected standards in Oldham;

·       Promoted broad, evidence-based dialogue;

·       Influenced local policies; and

·       Identified opportunities for capacity building.

The information referred to all Oldham Schools and Academies.  All published data referred to all publicly funded establishments.

Key education outcomes in Oldham schools and settings had improved in most area in 2019.  As a consequence, the gaps to national figures had narrowed for most borough indicators.  The most significant trends from 2018 to 2019 were:

·       The Early Years ‘good level of development’ (GLD) measure in 2019 had increased by 4 percentage points to 68.1% compared to a national rise of only 03 percentage points.

·       In Key Stage 2 assessments, the percentage of Oldham pupils achieving the National Standards for Reading, Writing and Maths (RWM) remained the same as 2018 at 63%, a rise of 16% since 2016.

·       Combined Key Stage 2 Reading, Writing and Mathematics for disadvantaged pupils in Oldham 12 53.5% which was 2% above the national average (51.5%).

·       At Key Stage 4 the data as set out at Section 2.3 of the report showed that Oldham pupils had on average not improved their attainment and progress from 2018 to 2019.  Excellent performance with the Blue Coat School and Oldham Academy North have made good progress and the Blue Coat School and North Chadderton attaining highly were noted.

The Select Committee were informed of the improvements made and that the gap between Oldham and the national measures had narrowed.  Oldham had had one of the top performances in the North West.

Members sought and received clarification on the delivery of Key Stage 3.  Members were informed that work was in place to looked at curriculum development for Years 7 to 11 and transitions.  Members were also informed of development training for schools. 

Members sought and received information on the ability to sustain performance.  Members were informed about investment around early years and work with the Educational Partnership and focus on Key Stages 2 and 3.   Getting Early Years right made a difference.  Discussions had taken place with Primary School Headteachers about performance and ‘good level of development’ measures.  Members were informed about work into the development of the Early Years Strategy and the creation of a system to make improvements. 

Members noted and welcomed the improvements at Waterhead Academy and asked if would be sustained.  Members were informed of work related to addressing inequalities in schools and work with Chief Executive’s of Trusts, the Local Authority, headteachers and the Regional Schools Commissioner through the Education Alliance with a set of priorities shared by all schools.  Members were informed about Opportunity Investment, building sustainability, and holding each other to account.  Members were informed that improvements needed to be kept, teacher retention and recruitment strategy needed.  It was hoped through the Alliance that teachers and school leaders would address the challenges.

Members queried on the Crompton House performance and improvements at North Chadderton.  Members were informed of fluctuation of performance year-on-year.  Members were also informed that 11 of 13 headteachers had gone over the last three years.  North Chadderton had attained figures where they should be and it was anticipated that these would be maintained if not improved.  Crompton House was a maths performance and informed that this was being addressed.

Members queried support for higher ability students and transitions from primary school to secondary school and issues when headteachers’ resigned.  Members were informed that transition was acknowledged and students’ issues with the SATS in Year 6 was a national issue and not unique to Oldham.  Members were informed about leadership development which included mentoring.  Members were also informed about support for higher ability students which included partnership working and other arrangements for those students.  The issue of challenging the brightest students was raised.

Members queried ‘A’ Levels performance and noted Blue Coat School had done well.  Members were informed about disappointment with some providers on sixth form results.  Members were informed about predicted grades and systems being put into place.

Members asked about vocational qualifications and were informed of the vocational/technical route which could be taken up to a high level and the option for a vocational route as a first choice which was currently being looked at.  Further Education college data was good and students had performed highly.  College results would be included in future reports.

Members asked about Werneth Primary School and informed that the school had been moved to the Pinnacle Trust and was moving in the right direction.

Members congratulated the Cabinet Member and officers on a job well done.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The Position Statement on Education Standards in Oldham in 2019 be noted.

2.       Future position statements included information related to Sixth Form College results.