Improvement in Secondary Attainment Encouraging (Southwark Liberal Democrats)

Southwark Liberal Democrats <info@southwark-libdems.org.uk>

Improvement in Secondary Attainment Encouraging

August 25, 2004 8:21 PM

Southwark pupils are continuing to make improvements in good time for the start of their GCSE studies according to just released results. Key stage 3 results which show the attainment levels of children at age 14, have improved in maths by seven per cent over the past year - the highest increase in the country - and by 15 per cent overall since 2001.

The English results are yet to be confirmed but early indications suggest that the results will be equally impressive. The results for attainment in science have remained stable this year against a national picture of decreasing results.

Although results in Southwark, which has a highly transient population and a high percentage of children for whom English is not their first language, are generally lower than the national average, they are catching up.

Figures have also been released for key stage 2 pupils (age 11). They show a dip in English and science but an improvement in maths but demonstrate that the gap between Southwark's position and national figures is closing.

The results for key stage 1 pupils (age 7) are broadly in line with national trends.

Lib Dem Southwark Council's executive member for education Councillor Bob Skelly said: "The key stage 3 figures bode well for the GCSEs in two years time and pupils, teachers and heads are to be congratulated on these very encouraging results.

"There are no easy fixes for raising attainment. Improvements need to be made across the borough on the process of continuous assessment for each individual pupil, knowing their prior attainment and setting realistic targets.

"We will be working closely with all primary schools in the borough to continue the focus on raising attainment and improving the futures for all youngsters in Southwark."