Archived decisions

Contact: Bob Eardley, Strategic Planning Manager, 01962 846275. Email: [email protected]

Terry Rath, Education Officer, 01962 846457. Email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This is the second report to update the Committee on progress towards the Education targets in the County Council's Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA). It also summarises work currently in hand towards concluding a second LPSA, to begin in 2005.

1.2 The Education targets in the LPSA support the following corporate aims:

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities, by supporting the raising of standards in secondary schools;

Aim 5 - Improving services, by providing additional support to secondary schools.

1.3 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the development of this report and no adverse impact has been identified.

2. Background

2.1 The County Council entered into a Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) on 1 April 2002, which runs until 31 March 2005. LPSAs are a Government initiative designed to enhance co-operation between local and central government. The Agreements consist of a range of targets (thirteen in Hampshire's case) across key services. The main principle is that in return for achieving key stretching targets over a three year period, councils receive a Reward Grant. In addition, an initial pump-priming grant was available from Government to supplement local resources in support of achieving the targets. The majority of the targets are set by Government, but local targets can be included as well. In the main, LPSA targets are built on those already established or being developed within individual services. The Hampshire LPSA as a whole has a strong focus on areas of relative social deprivation. LPSAs are managed by the Government through the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

2.2 The LPSA includes four targets for Education: two are locally focused on areas of relative deprivation, one is county-wide and one has both local and county-wide elements. All targets relate to secondary education:

· Target 1 (county-wide) covers KS3 performance at Level 5 in English, Mathematics, Science and ICT;

· Target 2 (locally focused on twelve schools in areas of relative deprivation, and county-wide) covers 5 x A*-C GCSE performance;

· Target 3 (locally focused) covers unauthorised absence

· Target 4 covers performance, unauthorised absence and exclusions in areas of social deprivation in Gosport.

The targets are summarised in Appendix 1.

2.3 Achievement of each target attracts a Reward Grant of some £1.6m, a total of about £6.4m if all four targets are achieved in full. Reward Grant is reduced on a sliding scale for performance between 100% and 60% of the amount of "stretch" featured in the target, i.e. 60% of the difference between the level of achievement with and without the LPSA in place. Below 60%, nothing is payable.

2.4 A key feature of LPSA targets is that they are very challenging to achieve. In the case of KS3 and GCSE, the targets set in the EDP are recognised as very demanding: the LPSA targets go a step further. Achievement of the targets should not, therefore, be considered a foregone conclusion. Targets for KS3 and GCSEs in particular were finalised after detailed discussion with the DfES and developed from historic targets, which were aspirational. These targets were used by the DfES as a baseline for setting future targets, even though they had not all been achieved. Performance improvements which are being made through the LPSA should, therefore, be seen as starting from a relatively high level of performance.

3. Support for schools

3.1 A pump-priming grant totalling £984,000 was made available by the ODPM to support schools in setting up arrangements, which has allowed schools to implement measures to support progress towards the LPSA targets. Specific support for schools is available through specialist staff in the Education Department. For targets 1 and 2, this is provided principally through attached inspectors, with particular emphasis on the twelve schools in areas of relative deprivation in target 2 (GCSE performance). For target 3 (unauthorised absence) support is through the Education Welfare Service. For Target 4, support is through attached inspectors, the Education Welfare Service and the EOTAS service.

4. Monitoring framework

4.1 There is no formal programme of monitoring by the ODPM during the period of the LPSA. An internal corporate monitoring regime at officer level is in place, led by the Chief Executive, which co-ordinates LPSA work across the County Council. Progress reports have been submitted to Cabinet, most recently on 10 May 2004. Within the Education Department, termly reports on progress are discussed by the departmental management team.

5. Performance monitoring

5.1 Progress so far towards the targets is summarised in the tables below. Performance data for KS3 and GCSE is available annually and was reported in December 2003; it is repeated below for completeness. Updated information will be available in the next monitoring report in December 2004.

5.2 For each target an estimated out-turn position is shown, as reported recently to Cabinet. These estimates take into account past performance, the impact of support measures currently in hand and the rate of progress in individual schools.

Target 1 - KS3

5.3 This target covers all Hampshire secondary schools. Performance is summarised below.

Key Stage 3 Level 5

	a) Baseline	b) Expected without PSA	c) Expected with PSA	d) 2003 results	e) 60% target (difference between b and c)
English	69%	80%	81%	74%	80.6%
ICT	69%	77%	80%	71%	78.8%
Maths	73%	80%	81%	76%	80.6%
Science	74%	75%	78%	76%	76.8%

Anticipated outcome against LPSA target

Subject area	Current forecast of target achievement
English	No
ICT	60% +
Maths	No
Science	100%

5.4 Overall these targets are proving very challenging, although progress with science is good. The national picture is similar, although Hampshire is performing better than its statistical neighbours and is improving faster.

Target 2 - Achievement of 5 A*-C passes at GCSE

5.5 This has two components: the countywide target and the aggregate target relating to twelve schools in areas of relative deprivation (listed in Appendix 1).

	a) Baseline as in agreement	b) Expected without PSA	c) Expected with PSA	d) 2003 results	e) 60% target (difference between b and c)
12 schools	36.2%	39.2%	43%	39%	41.4%
County-wide	56%	63%	63.8%	57.9%	63.5%

Anticipated outcome against LPSA target

Target	Current forecast of target achievement
12 schools	100%
County-wide	No

5.6 Progress by the twelve schools is good and the target appears to be achievable. County-wide performance has improved, but the LPSA target, which exceeds the very challenging target in the Education Development Plan, does not appear attainable.

Target 3 - Unauthorised absence

	a) Baseline as in agreement	b) Expected without PSA	c) Expected with PSA	d) Achieved as at June 2004	e) 60% target (difference between b and c)
		Reduce by 10%	Reduce by 15%
Andover	0.87%	0.78%	0.74%	2.70%	0.76%
Havant	3.10%	2.79%	2.64%	5.48%	2.70%
North Basingstoke	2.34%	2.11%	1.99%	1.44%	2.04%

Anticipated outcome against LPSA target

Target	Current forecast of target achievement
Andover	No
Havant	No
North Basingstoke	100%

5.7 The mixed performance shown in previous monitoring reports has continued. Although Andover and Havant are still above the baseline level, this is offset by a continuation of good performance in north Basingstoke. A series of visits to schools has been undertaken to identify ways in which performance can be improved and staff turnover in the Education Welfare Service, leading to some schools being without an Education Welfare Officer for some time, has now been resolved.

5.8 Although performance against the LPSA unauthorised absence target is mixed, there have been clear improvements in overall attendance at the schools included in this target, as a result of combined efforts between the schools and the Education Welfare Service. Taking the three areas together and using the same baseline as for the LPSA target, overall attendance has improved from an average of 88.4% to 89.5%.

Target 4 - Increase secondary attainment, reduce absence and exclusions in deprived areas in Gosport

	a) Baseline as in agreement	b) Expected without PSA	c) Expected with PSA	d) Achieved as at April 04	e) 60% target (difference between b and c)
5+ A*-C	32.6%	36%	39%	36%	37.8%
5+ A*-G	89.4%	91%	93%	80%	92.2%
Unauthorised absence	2.26%	Reduce by 10%	Reduce by 35%	3.59%	1.69%
		2.03%	1.47%
Permanent exclusions	8.5 per school	Reduce by 0%	Reduce by 20%	7 per school	7.5 per school
		8.5 per school	6.8 per school

Anticipated outcome against LPSA target

Target	Current forecast of target achievement
5 A*-C	100%
5 A*-G including English/Maths	60% +
Absence	No
Exclusions	100%

5.9 Progress towards the 5 A*-C and 5 A*-G targets is as reported in December 2003. Unauthorised absence and exclusions targets have been updated to include autumn term data. Unauthorised absence figures are still above the baseline, but a number of measures are in place to support improvements in performance. Permanent exclusions have shown a significant improvement. There has been considerable support for the schools from Education Department officers and a number of specific initiatives have been implemented, the results of which are being reflected in reductions in the numbers of permanently excluded pupils.

5.10 Within the four Education targets there are 13 sub-targets against which performance will be measured by the ODPM. On the basis of the forecast outcomes summarised above, achievement of at least the 60% target is anticipated for seven of the 13, with five of these expected to reach 100%. Taking into account the very stringent process of target-setting established by the ODPM and DfES, reaching this level of performance would represent a substantial achievement. Improvements, sometimes significant, can also be expected in the target areas where the 60% threshold is unlikely to be reached.

6. Current and future action in support of schools

6.1 During the second half of the period covered by the LPSA, the County Council has adjusted its support of schools in raising the achievement of pupils not likely to reach Level 5 at the end of KS3. This is in order to try to secure a better outcome than seems likely in English and mathematics in particular. Through the Standards Fund, the LEA receives additional grant, called Intervention Grant, for this purpose. In devolving this grant to schools as it must, the LEA has linked devolution to training sessions for KS3 School Strategy Managers and, in specific instances, follow up support from use of attached inspectors. The purpose of this work has been to try to ensure that schools are sufficiently focused in their use of the range of strategies available to them in tackling low attainment. It is typically the case that schools would wish to produce an internal action plan to help address these priorities. In 2004/05, and dependent upon the outcomes of individual schools covered by the LPSA, the LEA will be delaying the devolution of Intervention Grant until it has been able to verify the quality of schools' intervention plans.

7. LPSA second generation

7.1 The Government has announced proposals for a second generation of LPSAs to start in 2005 as the first round of LPSAs finishes. There are some notable changes to the rules for LPSA2.

· LPSA2 should reflect local circumstances and priorities. There is no requirement for national targets. LPSA2 should reflect the priorities of the local strategic partnership (LSPs) and community strategies, CPA outcomes and local performance information. This must be evidenced.

· Government will not agree LPSA2 with the county Council without the involvement of those District Councils that are willing to be involved. There is also the expectation that other public sector agencies, community and voluntary sectors and LSPs will be partners. LPSA2 will still formally be one agreement between government and the County Council.

· Government departments are committed to greater involvement with the local arms of central government and the opportunity for "explorer" partnership where government works alongside local authorities on specific targets.

· LPSA2 retains the same system for pump-priming and a potential reward grant of 2.5% of budget.

· Before discussions begin with government about performance and stretch targets a strategy and priorities need to be agreed with partners. Discussions are currently underway with representatives of District Councils, voluntary agencies, health service and LSPs to reach this agreement. The strategy needs to be submitted to government by the end of July. It is anticipated that if the strategy is agreed, negotiations about performance and targets will take place in October/November.

Recommendations

1. That the Committee notes progress towards the Education targets in the County Council's current Local Public Service Agreement and notes progress towards a second Agreement.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

None.

Appendix 1

Local Public Service Agreement Education targets

Target 1

To increase the percentage of 14 year olds in Hampshire secondary schools at or above the standard of literacy, numeracy, science and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for their age.

By 2004, 81% of 14 year olds will achieve Level 5 or above in English and mathematics, 80% in ICT and 78% in science;

Target 2

a) to secure a countywide target of 63.8% of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A* - C (or equivalent).

b) to increase by at least 7% the number of pupils achieving five or more GCSE passes at Grades A* - C (or equivalent) in secondary schools in the following areas of relative deprivation:

Aldershot/Farnborough

Andover

Havant

North Basingstoke

and

c) to ensure that at least 43% of pupils in secondary schools in these areas, achieve this standard by 2004.

Schools covered by (b) and (c):

· Connaught Secondary - Aldershot

· Oak Farm Community - Farnborough

· Wavell Secondary - Farnborough

· Harrow Way Community - Andover

· John Hanson Secondary - Andover

· Winton Secondary - Andover

· Park Community - Havant

· Staunton Park Community - Havant

· Warblington Secondary - Havant

· Fort Hill Community - Basingstoke

· John Hunt of Everest Community - Basingstoke

· The Vyne Secondary - Basingstoke

Target 3

To reduce unauthorised absences in secondary schools in the following targeted areas by 15% from 2002 to 2005:

Schools covered by Target 3:

· Harrow Way Community - Andover

· Winton Secondary - Andover

· Park Community - Havant

· Staunton Park Community - Havant

· Fort Hill Community - Basingstoke

· Richard Aldworth Community - Basingstoke

Target 4

a) to increase the proportion of pupils attending Bridgemary and Brune Park secondary schools, Gosport who achieve

i) five or more GCSE passes at A*-C by 7% by 2004 to 39%;

ii) five or more GCSE passes at A*-G (including English and mathematics) by 2004 by 4% to 93%.

b) to reduce the number of unauthorised absences by 35% at each school by 2005

c) to reduce the number of permanent exclusions by 20% at each school by 2005.

Appendix 2

Pump-priming grant to support achievement of the LPSA targets