The Assistant Director for Education introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education which provided an update on the provisional pupil outcomes for Key Stage 4 children and gave a first indication of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the education of young people in Wirral. It was reported that the locality figures were based on the location of the child, not the school they attended, and that only children that were both resident and educated within Wirral were captured in the data.

The Committee was advised of the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 figures, with Wirral scoring 48.7 in Attainment 8 which was in line with the national average. The Progress 8 figures were broken down within localities and by selective and non-selective schools. The Committee discussed the figures in detailing noting reductions in Progress 8 in certain areas, and were advised that comparisons to 2019 had to be considered in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Members requested further information regarding comparisons with statistical neighbours.

Resolved – That

(1)  the report be noted.

(2)  the Service’s planned refresh of the school improvement strategy based on the outcomes outlined be supported.