Decision details

The Director, Education & Inclusion Services provided Members with details of the provisional educational outcomes for 2017 – 2018 academic year  for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Members were advised that Foundation Phase outcomes in Rhondda Cynon Taf had dipped during 2017/18 but this decline was also reflected in national datasets adding that the decline in local and national Foundation Phase outcomes is likely to be attributable to the alignment of the expectation statements within the Areas of Learning, which are now more challenging to achieve.  

In respect of  Key Stage 2 outcomes the Director advised that a marginal decline  during 2017/18 was illustrated but the Core Subject Indicator outcomes were at the second highest level since 2013, which suggests that performance remains strong at 89.24%.     At Key Stage 3, progress was made on most indicators but these were in the main below the Welsh average, with the exception of English, which was above the all Wales average. The Director advised that data still suggested that steady progress has been maintained on most Key Stage 3 performance measures.

The Director concluded her update by advising of the  evidence of progress on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 2+ Key Stage 4 outcome measures during 2017/18 which was very encouraging. Member learnt that A*-C outcomes in Key Stage 4 in English and maths show improvement this academic year and Science outcomes would benefit from further improvement.

The Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning commented on the report adding that were performance had dipped  further interrogation and intervention in schools causing concern would be undertaken  to ensure that the previous pattern of incremental improvement is re-established .

The Cabinet Member continued by adding that whilst poverty and deprivation are not excuses for educational underperformance they are factors that influence educational outcomes and therefore performance should be judged on the value added over and above what is expected. Members were advised that Key Stage 4 verified data would be brought back to Cabinet in the New Year.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the report.

2.    To continue with the level of support provided for schools during the academic year 2018-19.

3.    That detailed school by school information in relation to Key Stage 4 data will be presented to Cabinet on receipt of the final, verified data from Welsh Government.