Sustainable Community Strategy - Coventry Partnership

5.12 At A level, the overall pass rate for 2007
improved from 96.5% to 97.2%. The average points
score per pupil in Coventry schools has shown a
record increase of 42 points from 646 to 688. This is
over four times the national rate of increase of 10
points from 721 to 731.
5.13 There is an on-going focus on school
improvement. No school in Coventry requires
special measures or has serious weaknesses.
Bearing in mind there are large pockets of
deprivation in the city and that there are over 100
schools in Coventry, this is a firm foundation on
which we can build.
5.14 The behaviour of pupils in school is good and
attendance at all stages is improving, with fewer
permanent exclusions. At Key Stage 4 we have
developed alternative provision for some groups of
young people who are hard to reach or at risk of not
achieving their potential.
5.15 There has been a great deal of good
partnership work between the council, the
Connexions Service, the Learning and Skills Council
and other partners, in order to see a reduction in the
number of 16-19 year olds not in employment,
education or training.
5.16 Similarly there has been a continuing focus on
raising the performance of young people from
minority ethnic communities. This has resulted in
rising standards for some ethnic groups. At Key
Stage 2, there were significant improvements in
attainment for pupils from a ʻMixed White and Asianʼ
background. Other ethnic groups showed small
decreases, following significant increases in 2006.
At Key Stage 3, there were significant improvements
in attainment in all three subjects for most ethnic
groups particularly pupils from ʻBangladeshiʼ, ʻAsian
Otherʼ and ʻMixed White Asianʼ backgrounds. There
continues to be room for improvement in the
performance of children who are looked after by the
local authority (e.g. through foster carers) at Key
Stages 2, 3 and 4.
5.17 Partnership between schools, education and
social care teams now focus on intervention to
improve outcomes for individual looked-after
children (children who are looked after by the local
authority). Ten former looked after children are
currently being supported through their university
education by the local authority. A single integrated
service for looked-after children is now in place.
5.18 The partnership work between schools and
extended learning centres continues to deliver low
rates of exclusion and improved reintegration. A
good range of leisure, sport and cultural
opportunities is provided to enable children to enjoy
themselves both within and out of school.
5.19 Good progress has been made in
implementing the Special Educational Needs and
Inclusion Strategy. A Play Strategy is also being
successfully implemented and a play activator will
ensure the needs of disabled young people are met
through play.
5.20 External inspectors have said that Coventry
children and young people have outstanding
opportunities to make decisions, take personal
responsibility and actively engage with services and
partners.
What things will we need to tackle?
5.21 Through the development of the Children and
Young People's Plan a number of key priority issues
have been identified under the Every Child Matters
outcomes to improve the lives of Coventry children
and young people.
5.22 Under the theme "Be Healthy" we need to
improve both sexual and mental health of children
and young people and reduce obesity. The
implementation of the Play Strategy is a key action.
5.23 Under "Staying Safe", improving the outcomes
for children in need is a key priority. This will include
ensuring that looked after children have stable
placements; fewer children are the victims of repeat
abuse and fewer children are affected by domestic
violence with less harm being caused to children
and young people by illegal drugs.
5.24 Key areas for activity under the "Enjoy and
Achieve" heading are to improve the foundation
stage outcomes for children before they start school,
to improve outcomes at Key Stage 4 and to improve
the use of ICT in Coventry schools.
5.25 To improve economic well-being we will need
to improve employment opportunities for young
people and in particular to reduce the number of
young people not in employment, education or
training (NEETs) in Coventry's priority
neighbourhoods.
5.26 Coventry has a long-standing commitment to
the active participation of children and young people
in decision making. The number of school councils
continues to increase and participation is actively
promoted. In addition, over 1,800 young people
have been engaged in Positive Activities for Young
People programmes which have contributed to a
reduction in youth offending during school holiday
periods.
5.27 Families are crucially important in supporting
children and young people, ensuring that they lead
happy, healthy lives and are able to meet their full
potential. In consultation with children and young
people, Coventry has adopted a local outcome of
“having supportive families, friends and
communities” which aims to improve the provision of
family support through information, advice and other
support (both practical and emotional). This support
is designed to build up and sustain positive parentchild
relationships in order to improve family life and
the emotional health of children and young people.
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