Liberal Democrats at County Hall have expressed disappointment in the County Schools' Key Stage 2 examination results announced on 4th August. Writing to the local press, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Councillor Jean Fooks said:
"Achieving just the national average - of 72% of pupils gaining level 4 in both English and Maths - is really not good enough for Oxfordshire. Our neighbouring counties are doing much better. For English and Maths again, 78% of Buckinghamshire pupils achieve level 4, in Warwickshire 77% and in Gloucestershire 75%.
"I know that teachers and staff work hard to do the best for our young people, but they are clearly not getting the support they need from the County Council. The Conservative administration has been telling us for some years that they are taking action to improve school performance, but these unimpressive results tell their own tale. .
"Clearly whatever has been done has not been enough to raise achievement in our schools. When are we going to see the results improve?"
Some comparison results are below. Full results by local authority area can be found on the DfES website.
Key stage 2, pupils achieving Level 4
English Maths Science Both English & Maths
National average 80% 79% 88% 72%
Oxfordshire 81% 79% 88% 72%
Buckinghamshire 85% 82% 92% 78%
Gloucestershire 83% 81% 90% 75%
Warwickshire 84% 82% 91% 77%
Key stage 3, pupils achieving Level 5
National average 29% 35% 43% 20%
Oxfordshire 32% 36% 45% 23%
Buckinghamshire 39% 43% 54% 29%
Gloucestershire 32% 36% 47% 22%
Warwickshire 33% 39% 48% 23%
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