Sandwell

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. (316473)

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 equivalents*¹ *results for pupils*² *attending schools*³ *in the Sandwell local authority*
Percentage of pupils gaining	1997	2009⁴	Percentage point improvement 1997 to2009
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.

Volume 506: debated on Tuesday 23 February 2010