Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

EDUCATION

PART II

THE PERFORMANCE OF HAMPSHIRE SCHOOLS 2003/04

1. The Executive Member for Education, together with the Education Policy Review Committee, have considered a detailed report on how Hampshire Schools are performing, with particular regard to the academic year 2003/04. They have congratulated pupils, teachers and all those who support them for their continued hard work and achievements. The report will be distributed to all Hampshire headteachers and Governing Bodies and MP's for Hampshire constituencies.

2. At GCSE, there was a continued slight improvement in Hampshire where 58.4% of Year 11 pupils achieved 5 or more A*-C. These results are above national averages and also above the levels of achievement for other authorities comparable to Hampshire.

3. At Key Stage 1, there were again slight improvements in performances in reading, writing and mathematics. Hampshire pupils remain ahead of the national average in these areas.

4. At Key Stage 2, performance by Hampshire pupils in English and mathematics improved, being better than our statistical neighbours and the national picture. However, there was a slight drop in performance for level 4+ science in line with other comparable authorities, but for level 5+ science there was a rise in performance. A quote from the 2003/04 Annual Audit and Inspection letter states "Hampshire pupils performance in tests and GCSE examinations for 2004 remain good, in particular in primary schools which achieved the best results ever in English and Maths for 11 year olds (Key Stage 2)".

5. At Key Stage 3, the results in English and mathematics are up on last year's whereas there has been a fall in performance on science which has been repeated elsewhere, explained largely by changes to the test in this subject. The trends in this Key Stage broadly match the national pattern and retain Hampshire at or above the middle of its reference group with mathematics in the strongest position.

6. Hampshire schools continue to perform well and, in most key stages, improvements were achieved in 2003/04. The judgments of Ofsted inspections also show good health in the system. Of the 117 schools inspected, 68% were judged to be good or very good, overall, and 94% satisfactory or better. The Schools Improvement Service is working vigorously with the remainder and they are improving which is encouraging for the future.

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