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NATIONAL PRIORITIES IN EDUCATION PERFORMANCE REPORT 2003
EDUCATION AUTHORITY INFORMATION

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL

This report summarises some of the key points set out in East Renfrewshire Council Education Department's Local Improvement Objectives Update December 2002 and its Standards and Quality Report (incorporating National Priorities) January 2002-January 2003.

For a full understanding of the position in this education authority and its plans for improvement you should refer directly to these documents or contact Fiona Morrison (0141 577 3229;fiona.morrison@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk) regarding quantitative measures and Maurice McIntyre (0141 577 3239;maurice.mcintyre@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk) regarding qualitative measures.

The summary is presented here under individual National Priority in Education outcomes for simplicity but the actions and programmes referred to may often relate to more than one National Priority.

NATIONAL PRIORITY 1 - ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT

To raise standards of educational attainment for all in schools, especially in the core skills of literacy and numeracy, and to achieve better levels in national measures of achievement including examination results

Standardised tests are used in the 5-14 years to provide benchmarking information against which the progress of pupils and schools can be set. Pupil progress is monitored and tracked at the level of the individual pupil. Pupil level information is the focus for assessing progress and identifying action to improve that progress.

Baseline assessment is also used at the pre-school to P1 transition. This, and the use of standardised tests in the core skills of literacy and numeracy, has helped the authority make sustained improvement over a number of years. Question level analysis is used as a diagnostic tool to improve learning and teaching for each individual pupil, in addition to providing valuable benchmarking information for schools and the authority to effect improvement. The results provide robust performance information which correlates well with performance in National Qualifications.

In addition to the National Priority targets on achievement and attainment, schools in East Renfrewshire Council are set focused targets for improvement in certain areas, after a thorough analysis of their performance. An emphasis is placed on monitoring presentation policies and course completion rates so that all young people are able to achieve their best.

The production of school and authority level Standards and Quality Reports and the use of locally-designed quality assurance tools, local TaCLs, are components of the authority's overall framework for improvement.

Examples of specific initiatives which have been introduced to promote further improvement in learning are the commission which the authority has established to identify ways of improving attainment in writing and the introduction of mind mapping courses for S4 pupils in some secondary schools.

Outcome 1 - Increased levels of numeracy and literacy

The charts below provide information on the attainments in reading, writing and mathematics achieved by pupils in East Renfrewshire Council's primary schools and in the first two years of scondary school. They also provide information on the targets which the education authority has set in respect of these aspects of pupils' learning.

Chart 1. Percentage of pupils in P3, 4, 6 and 7 meeting or exceeding age appropriate 5-14 levels in reading, writing and mathematics in East Renfrewshire Council, its comparator authorities and nationally at end June 2002.

The authority has set targets with its primary schools to raise levels of attainment between now and the end of school session 2004/2005.

Chart 2. Levels of attainment at end June 2002 compared with anticipated percentage of pupils in P3, 4, 6 and 7 who will meet or exceed age appropriate 5-14 levels in reading, writing and mathematics in East Renfrewshire Council and nationally by the end of school session 2004/2005.

Chart 3. Percentage of pupils in S2 meeting or exceeding their age appropriate 5-14 level, level E, in reading, writing and mathematics in East Renfrewshire Council, its comparator authorities and nationally at end June 2002.

Targets have been set with secondary schools to raise these levels of attainment between now and the end of school session 2004/2005.

Chart 4. Levels of attainment at end June 2002 compared with anticipated percentage of pupils in S2 who will meet or exceed their age appropriate 5-14 level, level E, in reading, writing and mathematics in East Renfrewshire Council and nationally by the end of school session 2004/2005.

The percentage (averaged over 3 years from 1999/2000 to 2001/2002) of the original S4 cohort who by the end of S6 had attained SCQF level 3 or better in English and mathematics was 97.9%. Nationally 92.6% did this and 95.3% of pupils did this in comparator authorities. East Renfrewshire Council has set a target that 98% of its pupils should achieve these levels of attainment by 2005. The equivalent national target is 94%.

Outcome 2 - Improved examination results

The charts below provide information on the attainments in National Qualifications achieved by pupils in East Renfrewshire Council's secondary schools. They also provide information on the targets which the education authority has set in respect of these aspects of pupils' learning.

Chart 5. Levels of attainment (a three-year average for 1999/2000 to 2001/2002) of pupils in East Renfrewshire Council's secondary schools in National Qualifications (post-appeal) compared with attainment in comparator authorities and nationally.

The education authority has set targets with its secondary schools to raise levels of attainment in National Qualifications by the end of school session 2004/2005.

Chart 6. Levels of attainment (a three-year average for 1999/2000 to 2001/2002) of pupils in East Renfrewshire Council's secondary schools in National Qualifications (post-appeal) compared with anticipated levels of attainment (a three-year average for 2002/2003 to 2004/2005) locally and nationally by the end of school session 2004/2005.

NATIONAL PRIORITY 2 - FRAMEWORK FOR LEARNING

To support and develop the skills of teachers, the self-discipline of pupils and to enhance school environments so that they are conducive to teaching and learning

Outcome 1 - Continuing professional development of teachers' skills

A local framework for CPD was established in the context of A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century. The authority implemented its revised induction programme for probationer teachers, with a range of staff including psychologists making a significant input to the programme.

Almost all of the authority's teaching staff have undergone NOF ICT training.

Senior managers in schools have been provided with training based on Improving Leadership in Scottish Schools. The authority continues to support staff undertaking the Scottish Qualification for Headship. The authority's first cohort has now successfully graduated.

Outcome 2 - Increased self-discipline of pupils

All schools have anti-bullying policies in place.

Behavioural assistants have been employed. The Psychological Service plays an active role in planning interventions to address pupils' behavioural demands on schools.

The On-Track Programme addressed the needs of a significant number of vulnerable young people in secondary schools across the authority.

The levels of attendance and exclusions in East Renfrewshire's schools are shown in the tables below.

Levels of attendance

The authority already has very high levels of attendance, having made considerable improvements over recent years. East Renfrewshire Council has set a target of 96.1% for primary and 93.7% for secondary for 2004/05.

The national target for attendance by the end of session 2004/2005 is 95% for primary and 90% for secondary. These figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Exclusions from schools

The figures in the above table are drawn from the Scottish Executive National Statistics Publication Exclusions from Schools, 2000/2001.

The authority has set itself the targets of maintaining the number of exclusions per 1000 pupils in primary schools at 2 by the end of session 2004/2005 and reducing the number of exclusions per 1000 pupils in secondary schools to 40 within the same timescale.

The Performance Measure is expressed in terms of 'days lost per 1000 pupils'. The authority has set a target in terms of 'number of exclusions per 1000 pupils'.

Outcome 3 - Enhanced school environments which are more conducive to teaching and learning

New guidelines on school development planning were disseminated through seminars and the provision of support packs. School self-evaluation is supported systematically by the authority. Annual Standards and Quality Reports are produced by the authority and its schools. A programme of local TaCLs contributes significantly to supporting school self-evaluation.

Experiencing a large increase in the school-age population, the first priority of the Council is to provide sufficient pupil places with most resources spent in that regard. PPP funded school building schemes were completed in St Ninian's High School and at Mearns Primary School. The Council is currently progressing a new schools PPP project comprising a new Williamwood High School and Carlibar Primary School and large new extensions to both Mearns Castle High School and Woodfarm High School. These new school buildings will open in August 2006.

East Renfrewshire has also made considerable improvements to the existing school estate in particular to make schools more accessible, provide new IT, science and art rooms and to seek to improve the fabric and appearance of school buildings within available capital resources. The Council is currently compiling its school estate management plan to help ensure effective use of limited resources.

The authority operates a computer leasing scheme to maintain pupils' access to modern computers over time. In school session 2001/2002 the council was amongst the first in Scotland to meet the SEED targets for computer:pupil ratios.

The pupil:adult ratio in the education authority's primary schools is 14.1:1 currently. East Renfrewshire has set itself the same target as that nationally of 15.0:1 by the end of school session 2004/2005. The ratio nationally is 14.2:1.

Headteachers were asked to produce whole school policies on nutrition, diet and exercise. The authority mounted a fresh fruit initiative. The authority has appointed 3 health-co-ordinators, and will work with the national unit to ensure schools achieve Health Promoting status by the target date of 2007.

NATIONAL PRIORITY 3 - INCLUSION AND EQUALITY

To promote equality and help every pupil benefit from education with particular regard paid to pupils with disabilities and special educational needs, and to Gaelic and lesser used languages

Outcome 1 - Every pupil benefits from education

Study support programmes have been provided for young people at risk of exclusion. Looked after children have been provided with enhanced access to ICT in care and other settings. They were also provided with enhanced careers guidance and access to Further Education and training opportunities. Specific initiatives aimed at developing the self-esteem of looked after and other vulnerable children were instituted, e.g. Spark of Genius.

The percentage of children looked after by East Renfrewshire Council aged 16 or 17 who left care with qualifications in English and mathematics at SCQF level 3 or above in school session 2001/2002 was 40%. Nationally, the percentage of pupils was 29%. East Renfrewshire Council's target is that this success rate should rise to 60%.

The average tariff score of the pupils in the authority's secondary schools who fall into the lowest performing 20% nationally is 65. The average tariff score of the lowest attaining 20% of pupils nationally is 58. East Renfrewshire has set itself the target of raising the average tariff score of this category of pupils to 88 by the end of school session 2004/2005.

8.3% of primary pupils are entitled to free school meals; 80.1% of these pupils actually take a school meal. 9.3% of secondary pupils are entitled to a free school meal with 69.2% of these pupils actually taking up their entitlement. Nationally, the uptake percentages for primary and secondary are 79.2% and 59.1% respectively.

Following a very successful pilot phase centred on Woodfarm/Thornliebank cluster which has higher than averages incidences of vulnerable families, the New Community School concept has been extended to the Barrhead/Neilston cluster in session 2001/2002. The New Community School concept is being extended to all schools in the authority.

A policy on Promoting Racial Equality was produced. Guidance and support materials to promote racial harmony were produced to support the implementation of the policy. A conference on Building Racial Equality was attended by 180 staff and pupils from primary and secondary schools.

A multi-agency approach involving Women's Aid, Social Work Services and the Education Service was taken in addressing issues of domestic abuse and violence to women. Baldy Bane Theatre Company toured a production on domestic abuse for senior school pupils.

Staff development was provided in respect of both of the above initiatives.

Outcome 2 - Every pupil benefits from education, with particular regard paid to pupils with disabilities and special educational needs

East Renfrewshire Council, along with all other education authorities, has prepared and published an action plan setting out how it will improve access to school buildings and the formal and informal curriculum for people with disabilities over the next few years.

Issues relating to the provision made generally for children with special educational needs are discussed at a Special Educational Needs Forum. There is a specific forum for parents whose children are autistic. An increasing number of pupils with special educational needs now have Individualised Educational Programmes (IEPs). Of targets set under IEPs, over 88% of these were met. Children with special educational needs in mainstream schools receive targeted support from specialist staff. These staff, formerly part of the Network Support Team, are now based in schools under the management of headteachers. Special educational needs assistants support both pupils and staff. Staff have received training in addressing the needs of pupils with special educational needs.

Of mainstream primary pupils with special educational needs in East Renfrewshire, 95.6% receive all of their education in a mainstream class. 1.1% of primary mainstream pupils with special educational needs in East Renfrewshire receive all of their education in a special unit attached to a mainstream school. For secondary, the figures are 97.6% and 0% respectively. Nationally the percentages for the primary sector are 83% and 3%; for secondary they are 73% and 4%. For comparator authorities the percentages for the primary sector are 75.2% and 4.2%; for secondary they are 61.5% and 4.4%. East Renfrewshire has 1 special school which accommodated 45 pupils in 2001/2002.

It should be recognised that the collection of this SEN data in 2000/2001 may not have been universally robust.

Outcome 3 - Every pupil benefits from education, with particular regard paid to Gaelic and lesser used languages

The authority received no written or other requests for Gaelic medium education. The authority is conducting an option appraisal on the feasibility of providing Gaelic medium education. Gaelic features in the authority's Modern Languages Action Plan.

Urdu and Hebrew materials, which will be accredited by SQA, are being developed to support the delivery of the 5-14 curriculum.

NATIONAL PRIORITY 4 - VALUES AND CITIZENSHIP

To work with parents to teach pupils respect for self and one another and their interdependence with other members of their neighbourhood and society and teach them the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society

Outcome 1 - Increased respect for self and others

The pupils in the education authority's schools are involved in a wide range of activities which encourage them to work with others and which are designed to promote their personal and social development.

A Committee Paper on citizenship was approved in December 2002. All schools have a citizenship co-ordinator. The authority's approach to citizenship has been developed in partnership with Save the Children. Pupils are encouraged to become involved in community projects such as the production of materials for the visually impaired, participation in Holocaust Memorial Day and the establishment of local websites.

The Education Department is working with the Council's Community and Leisure Department to develop a youth strategy which will seek to involve young adults in active citizenship in such areas as the design of service delivery.

There are pupil councils in all schools. These councils are linked to local area committees and the Executive Committee on Education. A dossier of good practice in pupil participation was produced highlighting practice such as St Ninian's in-school conference.

Outcome 2 - Increased awareness of interdependence with other members of their neighbourhood and society and teach them the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society

Staff from East Renfrewshire are participating in an international project on school self-evaluation. Many of the authority's schools have links with pupils and schools in other countries. The authority has welcomed a number of international study visits.

The authority's wide range of education for work and enterprise activities includes a strong commitment to Achievers International. All schools have a School Board. Parent focus groups inform policy development in the authority. A parent's helpline is being set up supported by the appointment of a Quality Development Officer (Parental Advocacy). Parents have been involved in a number of local initiatives to promote values education in schools.

NATIONAL PRIORITY 5 - LEARNING FOR LIFE

To equip pupils with the foundation skills, attitudes and expectations necessary to prosper in a changing society and to encourage creativity and ambition

Outcome 1 - Pupils are equipped with the necessary foundation skills, attitudes and expectations to prosper in a changing society

French was introduced into the pre-school curriculum and into primaries 4 and 5.

Cultural co-ordinators were appointed.

All secondary schools have enterprise and education for work programmes in place. These programmes include work experience in S4 and enterprise activities involving the provision of ICT services. The authority's schools participate in the K'Nex Challenge and similar activities relating to hospitality and travel and tourism. 15 staff undertook industrial placements. Staff from 16 primary schools received training in the use of enterprise materials. Pupils were involved in the 'Green Energy Experience'.

The authority has also fully embraced the Eco Schools development with over 50% of primary schools registered with the awards scheme. The first school to achieve Green Flag status has just been announced. The benefits for children are an increased awareness of their local environment, together with a growing confidence in the area of active citizenship and taking responsibility.

Supported study schemes including residential revision weekends were run. Easter and summer schools were run. The latter is run in conjunction with Strathclyde University and it focuses on S3 pupils. The 'Steps for Success' programme was piloted.

Chart 7. School leaver destinations; percentage of pupils leaving East Renfrewshire Council's secondary schools in 2002 and going on to Higher Education and other destinations compared with comparator authorities and the national position.

East Renfrewshire has set itself the target of raising the percentage of school leavers who go on to Higher Education after leaving school in June 2005 to 56%, which is a notable achievement in a national context where the average is just over 30%.

Outcome 2 - Increased levels of creativity and ambition in young people

The initiatives referred to immediately above and, indeed, throughout this report contribute not just to National Priority 5, Outcome 1 but also Outcome 2. More specifically, senior school staff attended a seminar on Creativity in Education.

QUALITY INDICATORS

East Renfrewshire Council's schools have used HGIOS in their regular, moderated self-evaluations to reach informed judgements on where they stand currently in relation to these processes. These judgements are summarised below:

• almost all primary and secondary schools in East Renfrewshire judged that the 'overall quality of attainment' in their schools was good or very good
• almost all primary and secondary schools judged that they were very good at promoting 'expectations and achievement'
• most primary and secondary schools judged their 'staff review and development' arrangements to be good
• all primary and secondary schools judged their 'climate and relationships' to be good or very good
• most primary and secondary schools consider their 'accommodation and facilities' to be good; where these have been judged to be fair or unsatisfactory a planned programme of improvement is currently being implemented by the authority
• all schools judged their promotion of 'equality of opportunity' and a 'sense of fairness' to be good or very good
• all schools judged their 'support for learning' arrangements to be good or very good
• all schools judged their 'implementation of SEN legislation' to be good or very good
• all schools judged their arrangements for 'placing pupils with special educational needs' to be good or very good
• all schools judged their arrangements for developing and supporting pupils' 'personal and social development' to be good or very good
• the majority of schools judged their 'partnership with parents, the School Board and the community' to be very good
• all schools judged the 'quality of their pupils' learning experiences' to be good or very good.

Authorities and schools will be continuing to build up their expertise in self-evaluation and moderation of progress with the National Priorities over the period to the end of school session 2004/2005. Some self-evaluation in this report is therefore provisional at this stage. HMIE are undertaking independent and robust external evaluation of how well Scottish schools and education authorities are delivering the National Priorities in Education and their report will be published after the end of school session 2004/2005.

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