The latest performance data shows improving Early Years Foundation Stage, Phonics and Key Stage 1 and 2 outcomes for children aged between 5 and 11, with education chiefs praising the efforts of pupils, teachers and parents.
The latest Early Years Foundation Stage data submitted to the Department for Education suggests that 56.5% of 5 year olds in Wolverhampton reached a "good level of development" in personal, social and emotional development, communication and language, physical development and literacy and mathematics in 2014.
This is up 12% on the previous year and early indications are that the gap between 5 year olds in Wolverhampton and their peers nationally has narrowed as a result.
Meanwhile, 74% of Year 1 pupils are "working at or above" the required Phonics standard in 2014, up 8% year-on-year, with early indications suggesting they will be on a par with other 6 year olds nationally.
Year 2 pupils recorded improvements in all Key Stage 1 subjects, with 87% of pupils meeting expected reading levels in 2014, up 3% year-on-year, 82% achieving expected writing levels, an increase of 4% on 2013, and 89% reaching expected maths levels, compared to 87% last year. In teacher led assessments, 86% of pupils attained expected speaking and listening and expected science levels, up by 3% and 2% respectively year on year.
Although Key Stage 1 outcomes in Wolverhampton are still likely to be below the national average, early indications are that this year's performance will see local pupils narrow the gap on 7 year olds in other parts of the country.
Early indications at Key Stage 2 are also encouraging, with 87% of pupils achieving expected reading levels in 2014, up 4%, 83% meeting expected writing levels, compared to 81% in 2013, and 85% achieving expected maths levels, an increase of 2% year on year. Some 78% of pupils met expected levels in all 3 subjects in 2014, compared to 75% the previous year.
Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "Although this is only provisional data, it is hugely encouraging and I'd like to congratulate our children and young people and their parents and teachers for helping to bring about what looks to be a notable increase in standards."
The improvements have come after local schools put a greater emphasis on early years' education and Wolverhampton City Council established an Early Years and Key Stage 1 improvement programme as part of its wider School Improvement Strategy, which is currently being refreshed.
Supported by the Local Education Partnership, the improvement programme has seen a dedicated team visit various local schools to provide intensive support, share best practice and develop learning materials. The schools will go on to work closely alongside one another within cluster groups.
The council has also put in place rigorous monitoring systems focussed on improving standards and identifying underperforming schools so that it can offer support as necessary.
Councillor Page said: "We're committed to helping schools improve and to driving up standards for our children and young people, and as part of this we've launched a programme of improvement which is already beginning to bear fruit.
"Of course all of us - schools, governors, parents and the council - have much more to do to improve standards across the board, from Early Years through to Key Stage 4. So we are not resting on our laurels and will continue to do all we can to help our schools achieve even better results in future."
- released: Monday 11 August, 2014