Our Cabinet members will receive the provisional education outcomes for children and young people in the borough for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (Primary Phase) Key Stages 4 and 5 (Secondary and Post 16), at their next meeting on Wednesday, 14 December.

This is the latest in the series of annual reports to Cabinet on the provisional education outcomes in Barnsley.

Due to the impact of Covid during 2020 and 2021, all GCSE and A level examinations were cancelled, and outcomes for all students nationally were awarded based on teacher-assessed grades. This year’s report, therefore, makes its closest comparisons with the outcomes in 2019 when examinations and tests were last taken.

Successes this year include:

• Disadvantaged students results in Year 1 Phonics remain stable, which sees them significantly outperforming their peers nationally.

• Outcomes for the percentage of students achieving both the Standard and Strong pass in The Basics is now above the national figure. 

• The Attainment 8 figure for all students continues to increase, closing the gap with the national figure and putting us in line with our statistical neighbours (other councils with similar demographics and characteristics to Barnsley) 

• The percentage of students entered for the English Baccalaureate remains above national. 

• The percentage of students with an education, health and care plan continues to outperform the national figure when considering the Attainment 8 Score (a pupil’s average score across eight subjects), Standard pass in The Basics, entry to English Baccalaureate, and the English Baccalaureate average point score. 

• Continued improvements in the outcomes for Looked After Children at Key Stage 4 with almost half of the cohort now achieving a Standard pass in The Basics, and over a quarter of the cohort achieving a Strong pass. 

• The average A Level grade for Barnsley improved to grade B - which puts us in line with the national average grade. 

• Sustained improvements to the percentage of students achieving AAB, including two facilitating subjects, closing the gap to the national figure.

We know that nationally, this has been a challenging three years for children, young people and their families as well as the wider education workforce.

We know that Barnsley was disproportionately affected by the impact of the Covid pandemic, and in partnership with the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance, we remained focused on improving education outcomes for all children and young people but particularly the most vulnerable.

We will continue to work with school and academy leaders to deliver our sector-led education improvement strategy, which has proved effective in driving up standards in Barnsley schools and academies.

A number of actions will be taken to improve attainment and other areas as a consequence of our Borough Education Improvement Strategy (2022-25), which was approved earlier this year.

Cllr Trevor Cave, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said:

“I’m proud of our relenting ambition for Barnsley children and young people and pleased to see that Barnsley is holding its own, despite the significant challenges presented by the pandemic. 

“In schools and academies which have higher concerns than others, a targeted approach through the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance will take place in order to address and challenge any areas of underperformance. 

Our strength lies in partnership working; we know that schools that actively engage in the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance by accessing its support and challenge are more successful with better outcomes. 

We also recognise that inclusive schools combined with a varied and enriching curriculum go hand in hand with better outcomes, achievement and attainment and we will continue to work together to achieve this." 

The Cabinet report can be read in full here https://bit.ly/3uu5J64