(2) what percentage of looked-after children in Staffordshire achieved five or more GCSEs at grade C or above in each of the last five years.
Data collected since 2000 and published in “Outcome Indicators for Looked After Children Twelve months to 30 September”, show the GCSE performance or equivalents of children who were looked after for at least 12 months. The available information for Staffordshire local authority is shown in the following table.
Percentge2 Number looked after in year 11 old enough to sit GCSE or GNVQ exams1 Who sat at least one GCSE or GNVQ 1 GCSE at grade A* - G or a GNVQ 5 A* - G GCSE grades (or equivalent) 5 A* - C GCSE grades (or equivalent) 2003 45 100 57 41 18 2004 45 48 48 41 3— 2005 45 55 55 30 3— 2006 60 49 49 36 3— 2007 45 78 78 61 17 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. 2 Expressed as a percentage of all looked after children in year 11. 3 Wherever the numerator is five or less or the denominator is 10 or less of the underlying numbers from which a percentage has been calculated, the percentage has been suppressed. Source: OC2 Survey
We do not collect information about the numbers of looked-after children according to how many GCSEs they were entered for. However, these data are available at a local level enabling local authorities to set targets for the attainment of looked-after children at key stage four. These targets are negotiated with the National Strategies and Government Offices and form a statutory part of a local authority's local area agreement.
At a National level the DCSF is investigating the quality of matching data on looked-after children to the national pupil database (NPD), which provides a wide range of data on the educational attainment of children and young people.
We are determined to do more and improving the education of looked-after children is a top priority. It is key to improving their life chances and a successful transition to adulthood. We have set out our intentions in “Care Matters: Time for Change” and the implementation plan “Care Matters: Time to deliver for children in care” published by the Government with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.