1 July 2015 weekly update

Dear Colleagues

Coasting Schools

 The DfE has issued a definition of 'coasting' schools:

The new measure will be introduced through the Education and Adoption Bill and sets out a clear definition of what a 'coasting' school is. The Bill sets out measures for schools to be sponsored as an academy when they are judged to be inadequate by Ofsted or when they are 'coasting'.  Existing academy schools that fail an inspection or are 'coasting' may also be provided with a sponsor arrangement or have a change of sponsor.

Schools that may be eligible for intervention will be those which fall below a new 'coasting' floor standard for 3 years, which combines a measure of attainment and progress.

Our recent conversation with the Regional Schools Commissioner confirms that coasting schools will be given support to make improvements and there is no automatic presumption that a sponsored academy arrangement will be required in every case.

In Secondary schools, in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the 'coasting' floor standard will be set at 60% of pupils achieving expected good GCSE outcomes, with English and maths, and an above-average proportion of pupils making expected progress. From 2016, the measure will be based on Progress 8 - the new GCSE performance indicator, which shows how much progress pupils make between the end of Primary school and their GCSE results across 8 subjects.

At Primary level, the definition will apply to those schools who have fewer than 85% of children achieving the Key Stage 2 standard in reading, writing and maths over the course of 3 years, and who have made less than expected pupil progress. These are very challenging expectations for most schools.

The key issue remains pupil progress, especially expected or better rates of progress for vulnerable groups. On the same day as the announcement on coasting schools a report from the National Audit Office highlighted how the pupil premium has helped disadvantaged pupils fulfil their potential and has led to schools dramatically improving their focus on improving the life chances of these pupils by accelerating progress and narrowing attainment gaps. However the report points out that more needs to be done and not enough impact has yet been demonstrated from the investment of £6.25 billion pupil premium funding so far.

The latest Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission report shows that social mobility for disadvantaged learners remains a challenge, especially for many able children from poorer backgrounds who are still failing to access higher education and the top jobs.

Also, the Sutton Trust – Education Endowment Foundation report (PDF, 1021.5 KB) 'The Pupil Premium, Next Steps', was published on Wednesday 1 July.

Prevent – New Safeguarding Guidance for Schools

The DfE has published new advice to clarify the role of schools and childcare providers under the new 'prevent duty', and to help protect children from radicalisation. The New advice and social media guidance has been issued to schools to ensure children and young people are safeguarded and schools can carry out the prevent duty, introduced as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which legally requires a range of organisations including schools, local authorities, prisons, police and health bodies to take steps to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Schools and childcare providers have a duty to keep children safe from harm, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and to promote the welfare of children in their care. The new duty builds on this and reinforces their existing duties by spreading understanding of the risks and current good practice across the country. The government issued statutory guidance on the duty for all public bodies in March.

The advice complements the statutory guidance and intends to help schools and childcare providers by:

• clarifying what the prevent duty means for schools and childcare providers
• outlining what they can do to help protect children from the risk of radicalisation
• making clear what schools and childcare providers should do to demonstrate compliance with the duty
• informing them about other sources of information, advice and support

The government has also published advice for schools on how social media is being used by extremist groups to encourage young people to travel to Syria and Iraq. It makes clear that every teacher should be aware of the risks posed by the online activity of extremist and terrorist groups and be vigilant of the signs of radicalisation.

Earlier this year the Department for Education set up a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) and an email address (counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk) to enable people to raise concerns directly with the department.

For advice and support about how Kent is supporting the Prevent agenda please contact Nick.Wilkinson@kent.gov.uk.

Patrick Leeson
Corporate Director Education and Young People's Services