Agenda and draft minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 October 2025.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 October 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive a report outlining the Education Attainment statistics for the 2024/25 academic year.

The Head of Service: Education Achievement and Enrichment presented an update on educational attainment for the 2024/25 academic year. The Committee received an overview of the borough-wide performance across Early Years, Key Stage 1 (KS1), phonics, Key Stage 2 (KS2), SATs and Key Stage 4 (KS4) GCSE outcomes.

The presentation highlighted that the national accountability framework for performance across state-funded schools differed depending on school type, however the Council held responsibility for maintained schools while academy trusts reported directly to the Department for Education (DfE). Statistical data released by the DfE showed that in Telford & Wrekin, 64% of primary schools were schools which were maintained and 92% of secondary schools in the borough were academies, a figure higher than the national average, with the local authority continuing to work collaboratively with academy trusts through established partnership forums.

Early Years Foundation outcomes showed 67% of children in Telford and Wrekin had achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD), a figure broadly in line with the national average. Targeted support had been provided by schools for pupils transitioning into KS1, particularly those who had not met early learning goals or a good level of development. More than three quarters of all pupils had met expected standards in communication and language and personal, social and emotional development.

The Head of Service: Education Achievement and Enrichment explained that improving GLD remained a key priority for the authority under the Best Start in Life Programme and advised that the DfE had set a national ambition for 75% of pupils to achieve a Good Level of Development by 2028, with Telford & Wrekin set a local target of 78%. The Council would continue to strengthen partnership working with health providers, early years settings and schools to support children from birth to age five.

As part of the DfE approved programme, there was a requirement for phonics tests to be taken by children in Year 1. Data relating to phonics showed that 80% of pupils had passed the Year 1 screening check, a result consistent with both regional and national performance. Schools had continued to deliver DfE?approved phonics programmes, with decoding skills remaining a key national priority for early reading.

Following the removal of statutory SATs at the end of KS1, national assessments would take place only at the end of Primary school in Year 6, where pupils would be required to sit statutory tests in reading and mathematics. Outcomes were reviewed both by individual subject and through the combined measure, reflecting the proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard in both reading and maths.

Members heard that 64% of pupils in Telford and Wrekin achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (RWM) combined in KS2, in line with national figures. It was noted that there had been improvements in writing and maths outcomes when compared with previous years and that disadvantaged pupils in the borough were performing in line with their peers regionally and nationally.

The Committee was informed that the borough’s Attainment 8  ...  view the full minutes text for item CYP14

To review the updated Work Programme for the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee.

The Head of Service: Registrars, Public Protection, Legal & Democracy presented the updated Work Programme. Members received an overview of forthcoming committee business, as set out within the agenda pack, and were informed that officers would be in contact with Members to confirm the rearrangement of the April 2026 meeting.

The updated work programme was noted.

The Chair explained that arrangements were underway to schedule a visit for the Committee to attend one of the Council’s SEND Hubs. Members were also advised that discussions had taken place with Dawley Town Council regarding a visit to the local youth club.