Decision details

The Director, Education & Inclusion Services provided Members with the final confirmation of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 examination results for 2017-18 and the Welsh Government Primary and Secondary School Categorisation for 2018-19.

Members were advised that when reviewing the comparative data it was important to contextualise the information and to take into account the socio-economic factors across the 22 Welsh local authorities. Whilst poverty and deprivation are not excuses for educational underperformance, they are factors that influence educational outcomes. 

The Director proceed to outline the outcome results concluding that performance had improved across each of the key stages in the majority of cases and were in line with the National average.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning commented on the encouraging performance results displayed in relation to Key Stage 4, with Rhondda Cynon Taf ranking 10^th from 19^th (an historic low) in the National ranking.  She also commented on the key stage 5 outcomes, which although were stable were still in line with the national average.  In respect of school categorisation the Cabinet Member commented on the positive increase in the percentage of schools categorised as green at both primary and secondary level. The Cabinet Member concluded that the performance across the Authority was generally positive and going in the right direction with both the Local Authority and Consortium continuing to support schools and pupils to achieve the best possible outcomes for the young people of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the report.

2.    To note the action taken to date and the future planned intervention of the  Director of Education and Inclusion Services in partnership with Central Services and Central South Consortium to support schools currently categorised as amber and red.