Isle of Wight Schools Improve across the Board
A report noted by the Isle of Wight Council’s Executive on 26 January 2016, demonstrates the improvement taking place across the Island and at all levels of education. In Early Years education, the percentage of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) was 72 per cent on the Island; significantly higher than the UK average of 66 percent.
At key stage 1, the percentage of Island children that achieved Level 2 results, the national benchmark, was above the national average on almost all measures. Island six-year-olds (at the end of Year 1) are now meeting the national average in phonics tests; a 7 per cent increase locally from 2014. At key stage 2, children achieving the national benchmark of Level 4 and above in reading, writing and mathematics, has improved by 3 per cent since 2014 with reading now higher than the national average. Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation figures have improved by 4 per cent both at Level 4 and Level 5, since 2014. GCSE results across the Island also improved, although they remain below the national average. The percentage of pupils achieving 5 A*-C grades at GCSE (including English and maths) rose by 3 percent to 48 per cent. Nationally, the pass rate remained the same as in 2014 at 57 per cent so the gap between the attainment of children on the Isle of Wight and the rest of the country has narrowed. In post-16 education, pupils achieving at least two substantial Level 3 passes (academic and vocational) improved from 91 per cent in 2014, to 94 per cent in 2015, however, it was recognised that higher grade A level results need to improve.. Councillor Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “Much progress has been made and there are many successes to celebrate, but there is still much to do. A stable base for the future has been created – and there is much evidence of progress in many areas. It is a positive beginning, and while there may be some disappointments as well as successes along the journey ahead, we are determined to achieve continued improvement year-on-year, and reach a level of educational attainment on the Island which ranks alongside the very best in the country.” “In our quest with our Hampshire colleagues to achieve long-term excellence for the Island, we pledge to continue to provide the crucial support and intervention in areas where improvement is most needed.”
