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Standards rise for primary schools in challenging circumstances
National test data for 2004 and an external evaluation by a research team from Nottingham Trent University show that a new programme from the Primary National Strategy - the Intensifying Support Programme (ISP) - has led to a rise in attainment in the schools taking part. The often dramatic increases in National Test scores in ISP schools outstrip the increases in a control group of similar schools. The evaluation also shows that the great majority of schools involved in the ISP valued the programme which they perceived as supporting them in improving learning, teaching and the assessment of children's progress.
Schools in the Intensifying Support Programme are mainly those schools who - for a variety of reasons - had made little progress in raising standards in literacy and mathematics over the last few years and where less than 65% of children were achieving the national standard (level 4) in end of key stage 2 tests). In 2004, schools in the programme made average increases of 6% points in the number of children reaching level 4 in English, compared to a national average of 2% points, and 4% points in mathematics, compared to a national average of 1% point. In the 2004 achievement and attainment tables, three of the top four schools on the list of 100 schools showing most sustained improvement since 2001 took part in the ISP.
At John Gulson Primary School in Coventry, a school with high mobility and high numbers of pupils with English as an additional language, key stage 2 results have risen 18% points in English and 9% points in mathematics over the last two years. The headteacher described the impact of ISP on the staff and the children, "The partnership developed with the LEA in ISP resulted in real, sustainable change at all levels in the school".
Fossdene Primary School in Greenwich, where 47% of the children have English as an additional language and 57% of pupils eligible for free school meals, is one of the most improved schools in the country this year. A recent Ofsted report stated that the LEA had provided extensive and good quality support, which had been instrumental in keeping the school on track. This support had been provided through ISP.
Schools in the ISP programme are amongst the most improved in the country. The programme was trialled in 13 LEAs in 2003 and has been taken up nationally this year, with over 850 schools now taking part.
The full report is available to view and download: Evaluation of the Intensifying Support Pilot: January 2005.
Contacts
- To discuss the details of the ISP programme, receive a copy of the full report contact or be put in touch with LEAs or schools that took part contact:
Sue Pidgeon
Primary National Strategy Coordinating Director in charge of ISP
[t] 07810557037
[e] spidgeon@cfbt.com
- To discuss the details of the external evaluation contact:
Professor Morwenna Griffiths
Professor of Educational Research, Nottingham Trent University
[t] 0115 848 3236
[e] morwenna.griffiths@ntu.ac.uk
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