Sue Talbot, (Lead School Commissioner) introduced the report of the Director for Children’s Services that provided an in-depth analysis for the pupil outcomes at the age of 16 (GCSEs) as well as a brief summary of GCE outcomes.

The report provided comparisons with the results nationally wherever possible. The report also informed how there had been ongoing changes to the content and grading system of GCSEs and GCEs, making the subject content and exams far more challenging.

Key points covered in the report included how - for Wirral pupils in GCSEs there had been a decrease in attainment in English, Mathematics and English and Mathematics. In contrast nationally there had been an increase in the percentage of pupils achieving a grade 4 or higher in Mathematics, English and English and Mathematics. However, the proportion of Wirral pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in both English and English and Mathematics continues to be above the national average; by 0.7% in English and 0.5% in English and Mathematics. And that -

the attainment of Wirral girls continued to be above the national average. The attainment of boys in Wirral was in line with national average. Wirral boys’ and girls’ attainment had decreased. In contrast the National average for both boys and girls had increased. Nationally the gender gap had narrowed slightly. The Wirral gender gap had also narrowed by a greater margin, but the gap remained wider than the national average.

The report also covered national provisional outcomes at GCE to determine how Wirral performed against national measures. The data was provisional with validated data scheduled for publication in March 2020.

Members were apprised that the Key Stage 4 & 5 Standards 2018 report had been produced to evaluate some of the Wirral Plan pledges, in particular Children are Ready for School; Young People are Ready for Work and Adulthood and Vulnerable Children Reach their Full Potential. The report is scheduled to be shared with headteachers and used as an essential tool to challenge underperformance as well as celebrate successes / improvements in Wirral schools.

Resolved – That

1)  the Summary of Standards - Provisional Outcomes for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 (2019) report be noted; and

2)  the report be shared with headteachers and used as an essential tool to challenge underperformance as well as celebrate successes/improvements in Wirral schools.