Issue - meetings

Report providing provisional attainment data from 2022 public examinations and assessment series in BCP.

The Director of Education and Skills and the Secondary Advisor presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The purpose of the report was to provide the committee with an early oversight of outcomes for children and young people in BCP.  The report provided provisional attainment data from 2022 public examinations and assessment series in BCP.

The Committee was advised that an update on the validated data could be provided at the next meeting.  ADD TO THE FORWARD PLAN.

The Committee discuss the report and comments were made, including:

• An MYP enquired about the English and Maths pass rate statistic and those who did not reach it potentially missing out on the ability to attend 6^th form provision, the Committee was reassured that it was a complicated area, but a large number of 6^th form provisions would accept lower grades of 4 and above depending on the chosen subjects and would only require higher grades to progress to specific subjects.  The options of also applying for applied subjects and offers to re-sit GCSEs were also highlighted
• The qualifications including the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) and levels were explained to the Committee
• In response to a query regarding STEM subjects, the Committee was advised that consideration of the subjects within selective schools and single gender schools across the comprehensive system needed further investigation however single sex schools were starting to merge and teach co-educational in certain subjects. 
• In response to a query about some schools results declining since 2019, the Committee was advised that the report had been kept at a high level until the data had been validated and to ensure schools were willing to share the information, however possible reasons for the decline were highlighted.  It was noted that nationally BCP had done well for outcomes and the grading distribution was detailed to the Committee.
• In response to a query regarding the advance information provided to students before GCSEs and how some of it was not given or inaccurate, the Committee was advised how complex and distressing the exam system has been recently and how some of the advance information in certain subjects was very useful and some had led to more confusion.  The Committee was advised that Ofqual would have taken that into consideration when awarding the grading and it should not have had a big impact on results.

The Chair summarised discussions as follows:

• Definition of EBacc
• Inflated grades
• Pass rates and impacts
• Levels and qualifications
• Gender and STEM subjects
• Potential decline in results
• Advanced information

RESOLVED that the Committee note the report.