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 150th worst in terms of overall Level 2 attainment at the age of 19. For children on free school meals Bradford is 128th 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
