Education
County maintains high achievement levels, low absences and childcare places grow
Education promotes an active contribution to and integration with society by developing basic skills, increasing self-confidence and selfesteem which helps individuals to reach their potential. A good standard of education contributes to a stable workforce and strong economy.
Indicator ED1 - GCSE Performance
2006 provisional results continue to show high levels of achievement. There was a steady growth of pupils achieving 5 A*-C annually since 2002 and this is reflected nationally. In 2006 a further 4.3% gained 5 A*-C grades in the county, giving a total of 64.5% which compares well with the national figure of 57%.
There was a change in reporting 5 A*-C grades as English and Maths are now included and data from 2005 (50.9%) and 2006 (53.3%), shows an increase of 2.4%. Attainment by pupils at Key Stage 1-3 remained above the national average although there was a slight decrease in performance this year in KS1 overall both nationally and for Hertfordshire.
GCSE performance
Source: Hertfordshire County Council, CSF Information Management Unit October 2006
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Indicator ED2 - Adult Education
Proportion of working age population qualified to NVW level 2/4*
Source: NOMIS (official labour market statistics), Office for National Statistics, ONS Crown Copyright
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The Annual Population Survey showed Hertfordshire's working-age population had a higher proportion of qualified adults at NVQ levels 2 & 4 than the England average. In 2005 68.8% held NVQ Level 2 and 32% held NVQ level 4 against England's 62.5% and 26.2% proportion of working age adults.
Indicator ED3 - Funded Early Education and Childcare
Uptake of funded entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds remained high in the county. A higher percentage of Hertfordshire children achieved a good level of development according to the Foundation Stage Profile than the national average. The supply of childcare was stable and in 2007 the first county Childcare Sufficiency Audit will be conducted to identify areas of shortage. By April 2008 the county will have 50 Children's Centres providing integrated services for under 5s with a further 32 being created by 2010. Schools, private and voluntary providers, a borough council, PCT and College will guide their creation.
Indicator ED4 - Attendance: Half days missed due to absence in local authority schools
Attendance in Hertfordshire schools, both Primary and Secondary, were generally in line with or below the national average, both having risen slightly. The total percentage of half days missed was 5.48% for Primary schools with 5.13% authorised absences and 0.35% unauthorised. In Secondary schools there were 7.33% of half days missed; 6.56% were authorised and 0.77% unauthorised. The county percentage for all schools was below the national average; 6.36% compared to 6.76%. The unauthorised figure for all the county's schools was well below the National rate of 0.55% compared to 0.81%.
Source: Hertfordshire County Council, CSF Information Management Unit October 2006
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