Management Information Sheet
Special Schools Target Setting - Autumn 2009
To All Special School Headteachers and Chairs of Governors
Target Setting - Autumn Term 2009
As you know all Special Schools 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 with Key Stage 1 and Sixth Forms are asked to set targets for the end of Key Stage 1 and Post-16 attainment in 2011, as a matter of good practice.
Regulations require schools 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 Special Schools 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 with SEN/LDD 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 they will be following the agreements reached at our recent discussions at the 'Three Counties' target setting meeting. The SIP Record of Visit templates have been amended to take into account the outcomes of our discussions. 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 Governing Body 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
The DCSF requirements to reduce persistent absence are becoming more rigorous each year. Every school 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:
These three figures will be provided in time for the SIP visit to enable the school to set targets in-line with DCSF expectations and thus avoid the entering a higher figure for 2010/11 which will trigger the need for an explanation to be submitted to the DCSF. Further guidance and information on target setting for Special Schools is given in the Guidance on the attendance of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) - chapter 5 page 12 is particularly relevant - this document can be found at www.nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk In particular the guidance states 'special schools should aim to set a target which equates to the FSM quartiles for primary or secondary school (depending on their phase) special schools who have both primary and secondary pupils on roll will need to consider this when setting targets'.
Children in Care
Schools 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.
| 21st September | 'Three Counties' meeting of Headteachers, SIPs and LA staff to discuss / agree target setting procedures and use of 2009-2010 Progression Guidance. As a result SIP Records of Visit Formats rewritten to provide prompt points for SIPs and Headteachers to aid target setting process and agreement meetings. |
| End September 2009 | Management Information sheet is published outlining the target setting process including timescales. |
| October / November 2009 | Schools use their data and have discussions with staff to compile proposed targets. |
| November to 4th Dec 2009 | Governors agree targets. |
| By 4th December 2009 | Headteacher, Chair of Governors, and SIP, verify targets. The Headteacher confirms the targets online by entering his/her name and date confirmed. The Headteacher also takes responsibility for entering the name of the Chair of Governors 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 Special Schools 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 with Key Stage 1 and Sixth Forms are asked to set targets for the end of Key Stage 1 and Post-16 attainment in 2011, as a matter of good practice.
Regulations require schools 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 Special Schools 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 with SEN/LDD 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 they will be following the agreements reached at our recent discussions at the 'Three Counties' target setting meeting. The SIP Record of Visit templates have been amended to take into account the outcomes of our discussions. 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 Governing Body 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
The DCSF requirements to reduce persistent absence are becoming more rigorous each year. Every school 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 |
These three figures will be provided in time for the SIP visit to enable the school to set targets in-line with DCSF expectations and thus avoid the entering a higher figure for 2010/11 which will trigger the need for an explanation to be submitted to the DCSF. Further guidance and information on target setting for Special Schools is given in the Guidance on the attendance of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) - chapter 5 page 12 is particularly relevant - this document can be found at www.nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk In particular the guidance states 'special schools should aim to set a target which equates to the FSM quartiles for primary or secondary school (depending on their phase) special schools who have both primary and secondary pupils on roll will need to consider this when setting targets'.
Children in Care
Schools 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.