To be moved by Councillor David Ward

Seconded by Councillor Brendan Stubbs

Recent research by the Children’s Commissioner has looked at the children who reach age 19 without getting 5 GCSEs (grade A*-C) or equivalent technical qualifications. These children face a future with limited horizons and opportunities. The research reveals that after falling between the years 2005 and 2015, the percentage of children failing to reach the benchmark standard has been rising. This is, disturbingly, even more the case for children on free school meals where the percentage has increased from 28% to 37%.

The research reveals that out of the 152 Local Authorities included in the survey, Bradford is shown to be the 150^th worst in terms of Level 2 attainment at the age of 19. In Bradford the percentage of children on Free School Meals who attain the benchmark standard is just 55.9% i.e. just over four out of ten children on free school meals do not reach the required standard.

This Council notes the findings of the research and resolves to:

1.    Undertake a review, with an independent Chair, into falling Level 2 attainment in the District

2.   Commit itself to carry out an action-plan for improving the opportunities and attainment of children who do not achieve 5 GCSEs or equivalents, including access to apprenticeships and vocational courses.

Resolved –

In June last year the Council commissioned an independent review and data analysis of Level 2 attainment after this was identified as an area of concern.  This was carried out by Edge Analytics based at Leeds University. This review has been reported to the Employment and Skills Board chaired by the portfolio holder.

Further recent national research by the Children’s Commissioner has looked at the children who reach age 19 without getting 5 GCSEs (grade A*-C, equivalent to grade 9-4) or equivalent technical qualifications. These are young people who will have spent 15 years in compulsory education and yet leave the system without basic benchmark qualifications.

The research across England reveals that the percentage of children failing to reach the benchmark standard has been rising since 2015, having previously fallen between 2005 and 2015. This is, disturbingly, even more the case for children on free school meals where the percentage has increased from 28% to 37%. This compares to a smaller increase from 12% to 15% for those not on free school meals. Therefore the trend outlined above is generally more pronounced in areas with greater need.

The research reveals that out of the 152 Local Authorities included in the survey, Bradford is shown to be the 150^th worst in terms of overall Level 2 attainment at the age of 19. For children on free school meals Bradford is 128^th out of the 152 local authorities, with 55.9% attaining the benchmark standard.

This Council notes the findings of the research and is committed to addressing this challenge with partners.

Furthermore Council resolves to:

1.    Put in place new governance arrangements for the delivery of the Workforce Development Plan and the newly established Bradford Employment and Skills Board which is chaired by the portfolio holder.

2.    Establish a Post-16 Partnership with an independent chair working to the Employment and Skills Board to champion and drive high quality post-16 education in Bradford; to support schools and colleges in promoting and spreading best practice across the education system; and to improve outcomes and progression at Level 2 by age 19.

3.    Task the Post-16 Partnership with delivering on measures to improve Level 2 attainment by age 19, with oversight from the Employment and Skills Board.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Children’s Services

A motion was moved by Councillor Ward.

An amendment moved by Councillor Imran Khan, as set out in the resolution below, was carried.

An amendment moved by Councillor Hargreaves was defeated.

Resolved –

In June last year the Council commissioned an independent review and data analysis of Level 2 attainment after this was identified as an area of concern.  This was carried out by Edge Analytics based at Leeds University. This review has been reported to the Employment and Skills Board chaired by the portfolio holder.

Further recent national research by the Children’s Commissioner has looked at the children who reach age 19 without getting 5 GCSEs (grade A*-C, equivalent to grade 9-4) or equivalent technical qualifications. These are young people who will have spent 15 years in compulsory education and yet leave the system without basic benchmark qualifications.

The research across England reveals that the percentage of children failing to reach the benchmark standard has been rising since 2015, having previously fallen between 2005 and 2015. This is, disturbingly, even more the case for children on free school meals where the percentage has increased from 28% to 37%. This compares to a smaller increase from 12% to 15% for those not on free school meals. Therefore the trend outlined above is generally more pronounced in areas with greater need.

The research reveals that out of the 152 Local Authorities included in the survey, Bradford is shown to be the 150^th worst in terms of overall Level 2 attainment at the age of 19. For children on free school meals Bradford is 128^th out of the 152 local authorities, with 55.9% attaining the benchmark standard.

This Council notes the findings of the research and is committed to addressing this challenge with partners.

Furthermore Council resolves to:

1.    Put in place new governance arrangements for the delivery of the Workforce Development Plan and the newly established Bradford Employment and Skills Board which is chaired by the portfolio holder.

2.    Establish a Post-16 Partnership with an independent chair working to the Employment and Skills Board to champion and drive high quality post-16 education in Bradford; to support schools and colleges in promoting and spreading best practice across the education system; and to improve outcomes and progression at Level 2 by age 19.

3.    Task the Post-16 Partnership with delivering on measures to improve Level 2 attainment by age 19, with oversight from the Employment and Skills Board.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Children’s Services