Education Performance Indicators 1997 – 98

Today’s published Performance Indicators from the Audit Commission show that Coventry school children are getting good results. The most recent attainment figures show that overall Coventry is close to or equal to the England average, and doing better than our LEA (Local Education Authority) statistical neighbours, with whom the DfEE compare us (see notes).

Attainment: In the results for level four or above at Key Stage Two (1998) we are above our statistical neighbours by 3% and closing the gap on the England average.

The percentage of pupils in local authority schools achieving 5 or more A – C grade GCSEs is close to the England average and 4% above the statistical neighbour average.

Councillor Joe Clifford, Chair of Educational excellence Policy Team says;

"We are making good progress, and I’m especially pleased with the achievements of our pupils. We are starting to see the results of our efforts in many areas, including primary schools. Current areas of work include the implementation of the Class Size Plan to reduce class sizes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds, and improvements in school meals."

Nursery Places: The number of children under five in local authority maintained schools is now above the England average as a result of the council’s expansion programme in nursery places, although the full impact of the programme will not be shown in Audit Commission reports until March 2000. We also work in partnership with the voluntary sector to provide places for younger three year olds and two year olds.

Unfilled Places: The percentage of unfilled places in primary schools is reducing and is now lower than the England average as a result of ‘Planning for the Future of Coventry’s Children’ which was produced after wide consultation. However, primary school enrolment numbers continue to fall and we will be soon be consulting on the School Organisation Plan which will tackle the problem.

Class sizes: The number of primary school classes with more than 30 pupils has already decreased since the Audit commission figures were compiled and in September 1998 stood at only 10%. This number will continue to decrease with the implementation of our Class Size Plan for which the government has recently awarded Coventry City Council £831,000.

School Meals: The take-up of school meals in Coventry is lower than the national average, but has increased from 15.2% to 19% over the past year as a result of our Regeneration Frozen Food Project. This method of preparing the food has made school meals more nutritious and will be available to all schools this April. It is hoped that the take-up of school meals will continue to increase.

Adult Enrolment: This figure is lower than the national average because we have one enrolment session per year instead of three for most courses. The actual numbers of adults enrolling in education are comparable to the Metropolitan average – and we have excellent completion records with over 90% of adults finishing their courses.