Swindon’s schools are getting better.

And the borough council is determined to continue the improvements.

A report which was due to be given to councillors sitting on Swindon Borough Council’s children’s health, care and education committee – before its meeting this week was postponed to allow national mourning – says there has been an increase in the number of schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

It says: “There are currently 50 schools that have been judged Good or Outstanding. 83.3 per cent of schools which have been inspected are judged by Ofsted to be Good or Outstanding an improvement of 5 per cent from 78.3 per cent in the last 12 months since inspections were re-introduced following the pandemic.”

The report says there are still a number od schools awaiting inspection: “There are 28 academies who are awaiting inspection and which are categorised as “not inspected” which impact upon the number of schools with current inspections grades of Good or Outstanding.”

The report goes on to details some of the methods by which the council and local schools are using to build on the improvement.

A new structure has been set up - Swindon Learning Together – to replace the Swindon Challenge board – made up of representatives from schools, the council and other public bodies.

The report says there are some national initiatives and support available to help improve schools’ performance and in Swindon: “Local arrangements are already in place - either through existing regional Maths and Literacy hubs or  multi- academy trusts - where schools can buy in, and school-to school support is strengthening by the identification and agreement of strong schools to share good practice. Further development will continue in 2022/23.

The report adds that the priorities continue to be the traditional ‘Three Rs’ subjects: “Priority areas continue to be reading, writing and maths. Areas for development within individual schools have been identified and are included in the Strategic School improvement plan

“ A School Effectiveness Delivery Plan is now in place, focussing on the following areas for improvement: embedding school partnership work, ensuring outcomes and progress at the end of each key stages for children and young people being in line with or above national averages;  all education settings being able to demonstrate a clear continuum of educational provision; ensuring every child and young person is able to access their learning every day and a  specific focus on secondary school attendance.”

Six schools, four primaries and two secondaries have an Ofsted rating of  Requires Improvement.

They are Holy Cross Catholic Primary. Gorse Hill Primary, Seven Fields Primary and Ruskin Junior School, as well as UTC Swindon and Lawn Manor Academy.

There are 24 primary schools and two secondary schools which have not been inspected either since they opened, or, more frequently, since they became academies. They have not been included in the 84 per cent of schools in Swindon rated Good or Outstanding

A new date for the committee meeting has not yet been set.