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Written question asked by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 5 February 2010. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.


Sandwell

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the borough of Sandwell, the effects on that borough of changes to the policies of his Department and its predecessors since 1997.
Answer

Since 1997 the Government have transformed education and child care with improved outcomes for children and young people. Figures showing the performance at Key Stage 2 and at GCSE and equivalents in Sandwell local authority are given in the following tables:

Key Stage 2 results of 11-year-old pupils attending schools in the Sandwell local authority
Percentage of pupils gaining level 4 and above¹ 1997 2009² Percentage point improvement 1997 to 2009
Sandwell LA
English 52 76 24
Maths 46 75 29
Science 51 85 34
England
English 63 80 17
Maths 62 79 17
Science 68 88 20
¹ Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including Academies and City Technology Colleges).
² Revised data.
Source:
School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables
GCSE and equivalents¹ results for pupils² attending schools³ in the Sandwell local authority
Percentage of pupils gaining 1997 20094 Percentage point improvement 1997 to 2009
Sandwell LA
5+ A*-C 26.9 66.1 39.2
5+ A*-G 80.2 90.7 10.5
England
5+ A*-C5 45.1 70.0 24.9
5+ A*-G5 86.4 92.3 5.9
¹ From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only.
² From 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of Key Stage 4. Prior to 2006 results are based on pupils aged 15.
³ Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including Academies and City Technology Colleges) and from 2000 does not include pupils recently arrived from overseas.
4 Revised data.
5 England figures also include independent schools as well as hospital schools and PRUs.
Source:
School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables

Other relevant statistical evidence relating to Sandwell local authority includes:""Infant Class sizes"—the number of children at Key Stage 1 (including reception) in primary schools, taught by one teacher in classes over 30 has fallen from 4,423 in 1997 to 62 in 2009."""School workforce"—an extra 750 teaching assistants and 1,430 more support staff than in 1997."""Early education places"—the number of free part-time early education places taken up by three and four-year-olds in maintained, private, voluntary and independent providers has risen from 7,025 in 1997 to 7,465 in 2009."Further information about Sandwell local authority is available on the Department's In Your Area website available at:"http://www.dfes.gov.uk/inyourarea"and also on the Department's research and statistics website at:"http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/"Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
506 c538-9W; 316473
Session
2009-10
Subjects
Department for Children, Schools and Families Sandwell
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk