Mrs Sue Talbot, Lead School Commissioner introduced a report of the Director for Children’s Services report that provided an in depth analysis and overall summary for the pupil outcomes at the age of 16 (GCSEs) and the age of 18 (GCEs) in relation to GCSE and GCE Standards 2017.

This report provided the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a detailed analysis of outcomes for all pupil groups at Key Stages 4 and 5 in the secondary phase of their education, and supplemented earlier reports considered by the Committee.

The Lead School Commissioner informed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that there had been significant changes to the content and grading system of GCSEs. The changes had been designed to make subject content and exams more challenging with most exams taken at the end of the two-year course rather than on completion of modules. Grading for English and Mathematics also moved to a 9-1 scale, with grade nine being roughly equivalent to a top A* grade and a grade four equivalent to a low to mid-grade C.  Mrs Talbot also informed that GCE A levels had been reformed and that assessments would now be mainly by exam.

The report provided detailed analysis of pupil outcomes used in the measurement of the Council’s 2020 pledges – Children are ready for school, Young People are ready for work and adulthood, and Vulnerable children reach their full potential.

Members questioned the Lead School Commissioner if comparable data with statistical neighbours (not available at the time of writing the report) could be provided, together with information regarding the GCSE performance of Academies. Mrs Talbot advised that this information would be sent out to Members following the meeting. She added that more detail could be provided in future reports and that the current numbers showed improved performance and she hoped to see this trend continue. 

In addition to a detailed breakdown summary of A Level outcomes (August 2017) and Key Stage 4, in response to a question from a Member, Mrs Talbot provided a brief update on the proactive targeted approaches being taken in respect of school exclusions, absenteeism and home schooling.

The Lead School Commissioner informed that the statistics with regard to Wallasey schools had been skewed as a result of some unexpected figures from one school. It was noted that the geographical statistical splits were also affected by the location of Wirral’s Grammar Schools. Members noted that many 6th Form Colleges were performing well as a result of the ‘pairing’ of schools that had helped greatly with pupil transitions. 

Members thanked Mrs Talbot for her comprehensive report and her detailed responses to their questions.

Resolved – that the GCSE & GCE Standards 2017 report be noted.