Pupils in Wolverhampton outperformed their peers regionally and nationally at Key Stage 2 last year while more schools in the city are now rated either Outstanding or Good by Ofsted than ever before, according to latest figures.

Some 60% of Year 6 pupils in the city achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined in 2022, compared to 57% across the West Midlands and 59% nationally. 

In reading, 75% of Year 6 pupils in Wolverhampton achieved the expected standard, ahead of 73% in the West Midlands and 74% nationally, while in writing 70% of local pupils achieved the expected standard, compared to 68% and 69% regionally and nationally respectively.

In maths, 72% of Wolverhampton pupils achieved the expected standard, above the average of 70% in the West Midlands and 71% nationwide, while 75% of children in the city achieved the expected standard in grammar, punctuation and spelling, compared to 72% both regionally and nationally.

Some 63% of pupils with English as an additional language achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics at Key Stage 2, again above the national average.

Among younger children, the percentage of pupils in Wolverhampton reaching the expected level in phonics, and in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 1, was above that of the City of Wolverhampton Council’s statistical neighbours.
And attainment at Key Stage 4 by children in care was higher than in the years immediately prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the disruption it caused, with 19% achieving grade 4 or above in both English and maths at GCSE in 2022.

Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "It's really important that, as a council and as a city, we recognise and celebrate the positive outcomes of our children and young people in the summer 2022 assessments, particularly coming so soon after the Covid-19 pandemic which of course had a major impact on everyone.

"Key Stage 2 outcomes were particularly impressive, with Wolverhampton pupils above their peers regionally and nationally in all measures, and I would like to congratulate children, teachers and families on this achievement."

Meanwhile, latest figures show that at the end of the 2021 to 2022 academic year 88% of schools in Wolverhampton were judged by Ofsted to be either Outstanding or Good, an increase of 18 percentage points since 2014, putting Wolverhampton schools above the West Midlands average of 85% and in line with the national average. 

Councillor Burden added: "This is an excellent position for schools within the city and is thanks to sustained investment in education by the council over the last decade and our continued support to both maintained schools and academies to improve.

"Those schools that need to improve are given additional support depending on their requirements, with advisers from the council's Education Excellence team working with school leadership teams, including governors, to plan, deliver and monitor the improvements – and this intervention has helped to bring about a noticeable increase in standards over recent years.

"Improving educational outcomes still further remains a key priority for the council, as it will enable our children and youngsters to grow up well and achieve their full potential. With more children or young people now attending schools judged to be either Outstanding or Good, outcomes are only likely to improve still further."