Management Information Sheet
PRUs Target Setting - Autumn 2009
To All Heads of PRU and Chairs of Management Committes
Target Setting - Autumn Term 2009
As you know all Schools, including PRUs, are required to set statutory targets this term for the current Year 5 pupils for their attainment at the end of Key Stage 2 in 2011; for the current year 10 pupils for their attainment at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2011 and an overall school absence target for 2010. Schools and PRUs with Key Stage 1 are asked to set targets for the end of Key Stage 1 as a matter of good practice.
Regulations require schools and PRUs to set their statutory targets by the end of December 2009 and the Local Authority is required to submit these targets to the DCSF. However, the majority of PRUs will set zero rated targets within the statutory framework but still should set measurable targets for two years ahead using National Curriculum levels, including P Scales, and other performance criteria where appropriate. Your SIP will be working with you to identify what good progress is for pupils your PRU caters who are unlikely to reach the threshold levels so that their personal targets reflect the best ambition possible for what they can achieve. As the SIP is central to this process the SIP Record of Visit templates have been amended to take into account of the revised target setting requirements. They are available via your My School website. Even if your school is setting zero rated targets you are required to confirm this with your SIP and they must be formally agreed by the Management Committee and submitted to the Local Authority by 4th December 2009.
To assist with your 2011 target setting discussion with your SIP you will need to make reference to the recently issued 2009-2010 progression Guidance and the DCSF Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools on Setting Education Performance Targets for 2011 this can be found at www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk. The Progression Guidance 2009-2010 provides advice on the progression of pupils with SEN/LDD in English, maths and science. It should be used to support the evaluation of past performance and the setting of personalised, aspirational targets that demonstrably improve outcomes and help to narrow the gap.
In addition for specific phase advice and guidance you can refer to the MI sheet 172/09 Secondary School Target Setting Autumn 2009 published 25th September 2009 and the MI sheet 176/09 Primary School Target Setting Autumn 2009 published 25th September 2009.
Absence Targets
PRUs should aim to set a target which equates to the Free School Meal (FSM) quartile for primary and secondary schools - as PRUs have both primary and secondary pupils on roll they will need to consider the balance in numbers when setting targets. It is recognised that this level of expectation may present a challenge but PRUs need to draw up an action plan with a clear timeframe in which attendance will improve and persistent absence levels will be reduced. Where attendance has previously been an issue for a pupil the PRU should be able to demonstrate that attendance is improving overtime at the specialist provision, unless there is a medical reason why this should not be so.
The DCSF requirements for mainstream schools to reduce persistent absence are becoming more rigorous each year. Every school and PRU is being encouraged to have in place a whole-school approach to ensure good attendance and to pay particular attention to persistently absent pupils.
Absence targets are required to be lower than, or equal to:
The PRU will need to consider these mainstream school requirements when setting their targets.
Children in Care
Schools and PRUs are asked to ensure PEPs for children in care are updated to take account of previous year's results and that targets remain sufficiently ambitious. Targets for 2011 should be discussed and agreed with the SIP and these will be collected by the Area Learning Support Teachers on or after 4th December.
If you require any further guidance or clarification on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your SIP or Terry Cook, Tel: 01603-433276.
| September 2009 | SIP Records of Visit Formats rewritten to provide prompt points for SIPs and Heads PRU to in relation to new target setting criteria and to act as an aid to the target setting process and agreement meetings |
| 25th September 2009 | Management Information sheet is published outlining the target setting process including timescales |
| October / November 2009 | PRUs use their data and have discussions with staff to compile proposed targets |
| November to 4th Dec 2009 | Management Committee agree targets |
| By 4th December 2009 | Head of PRU, Chair of Management Committee, and SIP, verify targets. The Head of PRU confirms the targets on line by entering his/her name and date confirmed. The Head of PRU also takes responsibility for entering the name of the Chair of the Management Committee and date the targets were agreed, as well as the name of the SIP and the date the SIP agreed the targets. |
Target Setting - Autumn Term 2009
As you know all Schools, including PRUs, are required to set statutory targets this term for the current Year 5 pupils for their attainment at the end of Key Stage 2 in 2011; for the current year 10 pupils for their attainment at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2011 and an overall school absence target for 2010. Schools and PRUs with Key Stage 1 are asked to set targets for the end of Key Stage 1 as a matter of good practice.
Regulations require schools and PRUs to set their statutory targets by the end of December 2009 and the Local Authority is required to submit these targets to the DCSF. However, the majority of PRUs will set zero rated targets within the statutory framework but still should set measurable targets for two years ahead using National Curriculum levels, including P Scales, and other performance criteria where appropriate. Your SIP will be working with you to identify what good progress is for pupils your PRU caters who are unlikely to reach the threshold levels so that their personal targets reflect the best ambition possible for what they can achieve. As the SIP is central to this process the SIP Record of Visit templates have been amended to take into account of the revised target setting requirements. They are available via your My School website. Even if your school is setting zero rated targets you are required to confirm this with your SIP and they must be formally agreed by the Management Committee and submitted to the Local Authority by 4th December 2009.
To assist with your 2011 target setting discussion with your SIP you will need to make reference to the recently issued 2009-2010 progression Guidance and the DCSF Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools on Setting Education Performance Targets for 2011 this can be found at www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk. The Progression Guidance 2009-2010 provides advice on the progression of pupils with SEN/LDD in English, maths and science. It should be used to support the evaluation of past performance and the setting of personalised, aspirational targets that demonstrably improve outcomes and help to narrow the gap.
In addition for specific phase advice and guidance you can refer to the MI sheet 172/09 Secondary School Target Setting Autumn 2009 published 25th September 2009 and the MI sheet 176/09 Primary School Target Setting Autumn 2009 published 25th September 2009.
Absence Targets
PRUs should aim to set a target which equates to the Free School Meal (FSM) quartile for primary and secondary schools - as PRUs have both primary and secondary pupils on roll they will need to consider the balance in numbers when setting targets. It is recognised that this level of expectation may present a challenge but PRUs need to draw up an action plan with a clear timeframe in which attendance will improve and persistent absence levels will be reduced. Where attendance has previously been an issue for a pupil the PRU should be able to demonstrate that attendance is improving overtime at the specialist provision, unless there is a medical reason why this should not be so.
The DCSF requirements for mainstream schools to reduce persistent absence are becoming more rigorous each year. Every school and PRU is being encouraged to have in place a whole-school approach to ensure good attendance and to pay particular attention to persistently absent pupils.
Absence targets are required to be lower than, or equal to:
| The median level of absence for schools with similar free school meals (see Annex B, p's 19 and 20 of the DCSF Guidance for Local Authorities and Schools on Setting Education Performance Targets for 2011 at www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk) | |
| The school's actual absence figure for 2007/08 | |
| The school's target for 2009/10 |
Children in Care
Schools and PRUs are asked to ensure PEPs for children in care are updated to take account of previous year's results and that targets remain sufficiently ambitious. Targets for 2011 should be discussed and agreed with the SIP and these will be collected by the Area Learning Support Teachers on or after 4th December.
If you require any further guidance or clarification on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your SIP or Terry Cook, Tel: 01603-433276.