Agenda item

10.1

The Committee received a presentation from Dan Rice (Performance and Analysis Service) providing an overview of the education provision for 16 to 18 year olds in Sheffield.  Mr. Rice referred to the provision by level and type, the different providers, their location and size and the quality of provision, as determined by Ofsted.  He referred to statistics with regard to KS5 attainment, under the four qualification categories (Academic, A level, Applied level and Tech level), together with progress under each of the four categories, and concluded by reporting on the progression into apprenticeships and the changing landscape with regard to education provision for 16 to 18 year olds.

10.2

Members of the Committee raised questions, and the following responses were provided:-

·                 The three six forms receiving a “Requires Improvement” rating following recent Ofsted inspections were Bradfield, Chapeltown and Forge Valley.

·                 There was no analysis undertaken of the different providers where pupils moved from one sixth form school to another, in order to monitor standards.  Although there was no national requirement to undertake such analysis, this was something the Local Authority could consider in the future.

·                 The 79% of 16-18 providers rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted referred to the proportion of providers with main premises in Sheffield, as this is how Ofsted measured this.

·                 It was accepted that it could be the case that too many pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds were taking academic courses as opposed to applied courses, which could be more beneficial for them.

·                 Whilst relationships between the Local Authority and Chapeltown School had been difficult in the past, the School had recently been given a “Requires Improvement” rating following an Ofsted inspection, with both progress and attainment being consistent with the national average.

10.3

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)      notes the information reported as part of the presentation, together with the responses to the questions raised; and

(b)      thanks Dan Rice for attending the meeting and responding to the questions raised.