Educational outcomes for children in care in Wolverhampton are improving, according to latest figures.

At Key Stage 1, the proportion of looked after children reaching the expected level in reading was 73% this year, up from 39% in 2016, while there have also been similar rises in maths - up to 80% from 52% last year - and in writing, which has increased from 29% to 60%.

GCSE outcomes for looked after children in Wolverhampton have been above national and regional averages for the last 4 years and are likely to be again this year, with 23% securing 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C including maths and English.

There was also success at post-16 level, with 26 looked after children achieving BTEC, diploma, A-level and entry level qualifications, and 2 care leavers successfully completing university degrees.

Some 38% of looked after children were assessed as being at a "good stage of development" in reading, writing and maths at Early Years Foundation Stage, the same proportion as in 2016.

The proportion of looked after children reaching the expected level in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 dipped slightly year on year, down from 60% to 44%, 59% to 44% and 59% to 41% respectively - though 2016's Key Stage 2 results were exceptionally strong. Most pupils who didn't reach the expected levels did, however, make better than expected progress.

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "Overall these are a very good set of results and reflect well the hard work that our looked after children are putting in at school.

"As a council we will continue to work hard to support all our young people to succeed, and further improving performance - particularly at Key Stage 2 - is a priority for the year ahead."

Councillor Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: "We are really proud of our looked after children.

"Many have had a very difficult and unsettled start in life for one reason or another, which can very often mean that their education suffers. It is therefore fantastic that so many of them are achieving well at school - and even going on to secure university qualifications."

  • released: Monday 16 October, 2017