Members have Education Strategic Priorities ‘Plan on a Page’ included in today’s papers.  Also included is a report on educational outcomes and school performance.  Two appendices are embedded within the report should members wish to access data about individual schools.

Both items will be presented by Andrea Winstone, School Improvement Manager, Thurrock Council

Rory Patterson Corporate Director, Children’s services described the strategic Plan on a Page to members which:

·         Provides a vision for schools in Thurrock, agreed by schools and Thurrock council.  The vision is to ensure that every school and setting in Thurrock is continuing the journey to outstanding and providing excellent learning experiences for all of our children and young people so that they are the best they can be.

·         Sets out strategic priorities for the forthcoming academic year which includes producing a meaningful SEND strategy and action plan; ensuring value for money and improved outcomes for some of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils and developing appropriate alternative provision, where possible, in borough.

·         Contains key actions agreed with schools and expected outcomes.

·         Is refreshed in partnership with schools on an annual basis

Andrea Winstone, School Improvement Manager, explained provisional data on pupil attainment to members.  Key points included:

·         Thurrock is performing above the national average across many indicators. 

·         As a result of a continued support for Early Years teaching & moderation in schools, outcomes at the end of Reception (GLD – Good Levels of Development) are above national for the fifth year running.

·         The Good Level of Development (GLD) measure is awarded at the end of EYFS when a pupil has achieved at least the expected level in the entire prime areas of learning and in literacy and mathematics.  Early indications suggest the GLD has risen again and exceeds the national average for the fifth year.

·         The 2017 GCSE results show an improvement on last year. The key measure of combined English (EN) and mathematics (MA) is being used by the Department of Education this year and will be supplemented to include Progress 8 and Attainment 8. 

During discussions the following points were made:

·         Board members welcomed results that had been achieved by Thurrock schools and settings and the continually improving educational outcomes for children and young people.

·         Records are kept on all children that are schooled at home by the Education Welfare Service.   If there are concerns about children they are referred to Children’s Social Services.  All parents and carers of children schooled at home receive guidance issued to schools, including immunisation advice.  The council has no statutory provision to inspect the quality of education being provided to children schooled at home.

·         Children living in transient communities are monitored as much as practicable.  Mandated checks are undertaken in school and at home.  However, it was acknowledged that potential gaps in intelligence may occur where children are not registered with a GP.

·         Rory Patterson, Corporate Director for Children’s Services, agreed to consider the issues raised and report directly on the monitoring of children not in school to the Portfolio holder for Children and Adults Social Care, Cllr Little.

Action Rory Patterson

·         To ensure that ‘more able children’ receive high quality education and support action has been identified as a priority on the Strategic Plan on a Page, agreed with schools.

RESOLVED:  Health and Wellbeing Board members noted the provisional outcomes of the summer 2017 tests and examinations and commended schools, pupils, and parents/carers on their achievements.