Agenda item

          The Head of Education Services submitted a report setting out how well Swindon children and young people had performed in their public assessments in primary and secondary schools. It highlighted where there have been improvements in performance and where there had been declines in standards. The Head of Education Services advised that the data provided a measure against national averages and included information on attendance and behaviour which could be an indicator of pupil and school performance. The report also included reference to Ofsted inspection outcomes. The Committee noted that the report reflected the work of the Education Strategy Board since its establishment in July 2015, and the new governance arrangements proposed for the Swindon Challenge Board.

        Following his introduction of the report, The Head of Education Services responded to the members’ questions and comments in respect of the following matters:

• The publication of Key Stage 5 data by schools and colleges.
• The difference in remit between the Swindon Challenge Board and the Education Strategy Board and the success criteria for the Swindon Challenge Board.
•  Methods of improving the quality of teaching and learning and how buddying up between teachers, recruiting the right staff and upskilling existing staff supports this.
• Future trends for Key Stage 1 and 2 data.
• The re-moderation of Year 6 exam data.
• Support for schools in improving progress for disadvantaged pupils.
• The ability of schools to support those children who do not have access to IT equipment at home.
• The effect of new schools opening in relation to established schools in Swindon.
• The degree of influence over academies and the relationship with them to improve standards.
• Collaborative working with out of borough schools to improve standards in Swindon schools.
• Proposals to improve the Council’s engagement with staff at the new schools.

          Resolved – That the report be noted.