Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement introduced a report on the performance of schools during the 2018/19 academic year.

In reference to the Council’s Education and Participation Strategy, the Cabinet Member highlighted the achievement of an ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ Ofsted rating by 91.7 % of the borough’s schools, which was above the national benchmark and just shy of the London average of 92 %.  With regard to 2018/19 attainment levels, it was noted that whilst there had been some progress at GCSE level, there were challenges at primary and A-level. 

The Cabinet Member highlighted the progress made in the number of young people who were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) with the borough now having a lower number than the London and national averages.  She also referred to the continued pressures in the High Needs block, which funded specialist provision for children and young people with additional needs. 

Cabinet Members applauded the achievements of pupils and School staff during the year, highlighting particularly the achievements of Looked After Children who had outperformed the national averages in most subject areas at Key Stage 1 and 2.  Members also welcomed the 5.2% increase, compared to the previous year, in the number of young people going from a school in the Borough on to University and a 17% increase in young people going to the Universities ranked in the top third nationally.  Members were pleased to see the initiatives in place to offer a rich and varied curriculum including culture, the arts and sports, which would support young people in their personal growth and improve their future employment prospects.

In response to a question on how schools would move towards achieving attainment levels that matched London averages, the Cabinet Member clarified that several attainment levels were already at the London average but for those that were not, the School Improvement Partnership, which focussed on improving attainment via shared best practice, would be the main vehicle to achieve that aim.  With regards to A-levels, it was noted that external research had been commissioned and the findings would be known next month.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Renew the Council’s commitment to continuing to strengthen and develop partnerships with Barking and Dagenham’s family of schools, BDSIP, Barking & Dagenham College, CU London and other key partners to achieve the best possible outcomes and opportunities for the borough’s children and young people;

(ii)  Note performance against the five priorities of the Education and Participation Strategy 2018-22, as set out in section 2 of the report; 

(iii)  Note the performance of schools in national tests and examinations as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(iv)  Note the further achievements and progress of BDSIP in its first year of operation, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.