Agenda item

Local Authority School Data Dashboard

Members are asked to scrutinise the Local Authority School Data Dashboard prepared by MiME ‘making information matter’ on behalf of the local authority.

Minutes:

Cllr Gill Birch explained the School Improvement Accountability Board had reviewed a useful dashboard and requested Rachel Morgan present it to members of this Panel.

 

Rachel Morgan explained the Mime Local Authority Dashboard was a snapshot of the Council’s most recent data prepared by an external organisation on behalf of the local authority. It contained both national and local data; an overview on Page 4 of all schools within Bracknell and their Ofsted rating. Page 5 detailed Bracknell’s characteristics. The document allowed for comparison with Bracknell’s statistical neighbours (Page 10) and all schools in England. The document was structured to show trends throughout 2015-18. It was noted KS2 data on Page 6 was currently provisional. The next version of the dashboard would be finalised end of March.

 

As a result of discussions the following comments and questions were made:

·         Members queried why a large percentage of Bracknell primary aged pupils attended schools in other local authorities. The figure was 5.6 compared to 3.1 but the document showed it as a positive. It was agreed the document illustrated the trend but it was not seen as a positive. Rachel Morgan agreed to ask the external company to check this and make it clearer if the arrow referred to negative trend or a positive trend. Cllr Gareth Barnard responded that whilst they were aware of the issue it should be noted some parents put in a preference for schools out of Borough as it was geographically closer and that some neighbouring authorities had additional surplus places this year than previously. Data indicated GCSE results were the best Bracknell as a whole had ever received.

·         It was noted there was a pressure on places in Sixth Form Colleges so a number of young people went out of the Borough for education at this age.

·         Members queried if there was a difference in achievement between boys and girls. Data showed boys do as well as girls in early years locally but less well as they progressed through primary school and was an issue the team were aware of and investigating. The team tracked pupil data and it showed where there was strong leadership in schools boys and girls would both achieve to a similar standard.

·         Members were concerned the local authority was ranked 10th for the number of Educational Health and Care Plans (ECHPs) at primary age and queried if needs were not being identified early enough, particularly as the Council was ranked second at secondary age. Rachel Morgan explained that whilst EHCPs were being issued the restructure within Education and Learning meant the SEN team were spending time collating and working with schools. Jackie Ross, Interim Head of SEN was beginning to deal with this issue. It was agreed this should be a focus for the SEN Task & Finish Group and would be useful to explore the need to deliver more training to enable staff to identify needs earlier.

·         Overall, members observed the document was really useful, allowed scrutiny of trend data and requested it be presented next time it is updated.

 

Actions:

·         Rachel Morgan to ask external company compiling Mime LA Dashboard to look at trend data in the report and make it clear when it is not positive.

·         Cllr Gill Birch to ensure SEN issue incorporated into SEN Task & Finish scope.

·         Rachel Morgan to add Mime LA Data to agenda when next updated.

Supporting documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk