On a motion by Councillor Walter Smith and seconded by Councillor Tony Norbury it was;

Resolved - That Councillor Moira McLaughlin be appointed Chair of the Attainment Sub-Committee.

On a motion by Councillor Moira McLaughlin and seconded by Councillor Walter Smith it was;

Resolved - That Councillor Wendy Clements be appointed Vice Chair of the Attainment Sub-Committee.

Councillor Moira McLaughlin welcomed all present to the meeting of the Attainment Sub Committee, noted apologies and gave a brief outline of the work of the Sub-Committee.

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Councillor Wendy Clements declared a non pecuniary interest by virtue of her employment in an early years setting and as a Governor of a Special Needs Provision school.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March, 2014.

Resolved – That the accuracy of the Minutes of the Attainment Sub Committee held on 17 March 2014 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair agreed to vary the order of business.

The Attainment Sub-Committee’s Terms of reference, which had been considered and approved by the Family and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee on 8 July, 2014, are attached for members’ consideration.

The Attainment Sub Committee’s Terms of Reference, which had been considered and approved by the Family and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee on 8 July, 2014 were submitted for members’ information.

Resolved - That the Terms of Reference for the Attainment Sub Committee be noted.

Presentation.

Deborah Gornik, Head of Targeted Services, gave members of the Attainment Sub Committee a presentation entitled ‘Early Years Transformation’.

The presentation gave an outline of the reasons for the Early Years and Children’s Centres Review and a summary of funding for Early Years. The core purpose of a Children’s Centre was noted as ‘to improve outcomes for young children and their families and reduce inequalities between families in greatest need and their peers’ in child development and school readiness, parenting aspirations and parenting skills and child and family health and life chances.  0-5 year olds population figures in Wirral showing the numbers of 20% of deprivation in the constituency areas were detailed in the presentation and members were informed that there is considerable and growing evidence that has highlighted the enormous influence that a baby and young child's earliest experiences can have on later life. Details of the six core messages were provided together with the likely target groups and how demand could be managed. Members were also provided with an outline of ‘School Readiness,’ that noted ‘school readiness would be measured by the age of five (the end of the foundation stage) and that contributory factors along the child’s journey and developmental trajectory were reliant on and influenced by a child’s family, the successful blending of the wider health, education and social offer and the child and its family’s community environments’  and showed the high level indicators, targets and Service deliverables.

Resolved – That Deborah Gornik be thanked for the presentation and the contents be noted.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a standards report on the levels of attainment for children in Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

For Early Years Foundation Stage it was reported thatthe percentage of children achieving a good level of development had increased by 16% to 63%. Free school meal pupils attainment had increased by 18.8%, so narrowing the gap.The number of Children Looked After had increased from last year. The percentage of children attaining a good level of development had decreased from 2013. Of the children set targets to achieve a good level of development 4 out of 6 had been successful.

For Key Stage 1 it was reported that the percentage of pupils achieving Level 2+ in speaking & listening, writing and mathematics had increased. Free school meal pupils’ attainment had increased in all areas so narrowing the free school meal gap. The percentage of Children Looked After achieving Level 2+ in speaking & listening, reading, writing and maths had increased.

For Key Stage 2 the percentage of pupils achieving Level 4+ in reading, writing and mathematics had increased. Free school meal pupils’ attainment had increased at a greater rate than non free school meal pupils so narrowing the gap. The percentage of Children Looked After achieving reading and writing had increased, however attainment in mathematics had decreased.

It was reported that the data stocktake for attainment at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 took place in August each year. The data at this time was unvalidated and as such considered to be provisional. A data sharing protocol had been agreed across the 23 North West local authorities so that comparisons could be made, strengths celebrated and collaboration where there were similar areas for development across local authorities.

Where national data for 2014 was available it had been provided in the tables to make benchmark comparisons. Where 2014 data would not be unavailable until statistical releases in November and December 2014, national data for 2013 had been used.

The Children & Young People’s Plan 2013 – 2016 priorities translated into two key areas;-

·  Close the attainment gap between pupils in receipt of free school meals and other pupils

·  Increase the attainment for children who are looked after

Results showed a dramatic increase from 2013. Currently the results ranked Wirral 3^rd out of 23 North West local authorities with attainment being above the national average.

Members were provided with results for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 as an overview by Constituency, by a comparison of Free School Meals (FSM) and Non Free School Meal Pupils, a comparison of Attainment of Boys and Girls, Black Minority Ethnic (BME) & English as an additional Language (EAL), Children Looked After and Floor Targets. Areas for development were highlighted.

In response to questions from Members Sue Talbot commented that a small team of early intervention managers were looking at what issues each school has.  The team has gone into schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Reports for noting.

Sue Talbot, Senior Manager, gave an overview of Ofsted inspections since May 2014 and responded to members questions. 36 inspections had been carried out since last year and 87% of primary schools and 64% of secondary schools were graded at good or better. Several schools were in the process of conversion to Academy status and Members were informed that if a school was in special Measures it would lose its category once it became an Academy and the school would be inspected after 12 months.  Members expressed concern about this situation however Julia Hassall, Director of Children's Services, emphasised the strong relationship between schools and CYPD and it was noted that the authority had a statutory duty to imput an improvement plan. Sue Talbot also commented that the Attainment Sub Committee would be kept updated. Members were provided with a pack of published results relating to Brentwood Nursery School, Bidston Village CE (Controlled) Primary School, Cathcart Street Primary School, Grove St Primary School, The Priory Parish CofE Primary School, St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, St John’s Catholic Junior School, SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, Bebington High Sports College together with details of monitoring inspection visits relating to Hilbre High School Humanities College, Emslie Morgan Alternative Provision School (Wirral Alternative School Provision) and Pensby High School for Boys.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

Resolved – That the Spokespersons work together to agree a Work Programme, focussing on Early Years, for future meetings of the Attainment Sub Committee and outline this at the next meeting of the Sub Committee.