Step Up Step Up - January 2014 | Page 2

PAGE 2 STEP UP ENJOY AND ACHIEVE Improving education standards Croydon’s schoolchildren are performing well, both in terms of national averages and also when compared to pupils living in similar parts of the country. A new council report shows how, once past the early years’ foundation stage, children from Croydon typically do better than those from elsewhere. Reading, writing and maths skills at age seven are generally better than London and national averages. By the age of 11, Croydon’s results in the new grammar, punctuation and spelling test are above the national figure at all levels. Once it comes to the important GCSE year, the latest results show how, while many parts of the country had declining exam results, Croydon achieved yet another year of improved scores. This was also reflected in A’ levels, where Croydon’s average points score was similarly above the national average. Attendance at primary schools is better in Croydon than the national picture and an improvement in secondary school attendance goes against the trend of a general decline across the rest of the country. The report sets out the wide range of measures being taken by the council to ensure standards continue to improve. Challenging targets, regular reviews and training tailored to specific areas of need are all part of the work of the council’s school improvement service. Schools found to be in need of particular assistance will have support brokered for them in the form of partnerships with other schools rated as outstanding by Ofsted. Where pupils are in receipt of the ‘pupil premium’ funding, their schools will receive guidance from the council on the best ways of getting results for this extra financial support. Croydon Council remains committed to ensuring every child has a school place. It has the largest school building programme in the country, and is investing significant amounts of funding into new and expanded schools. ‘…while many parts of the country had declining exam results, Croydon achieved yet another year of improved scores.’