This week I report on the release of the provisional secondary school data for 2017, the publication of the Government’s Race Disparity Audit and what it tells us about education attainment and new non statutory guidance on the storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals in schools.

Provisional Key Stage 4 data and updated information guides
The DfE has released provisional secondary school data for 2017 and published provisional performance tables. It has also updated the accompanying guidance documents outlining how the accountability measures have been calculated in 2017, as well as providing more information about recently announced reforms that will apply to accountability measures in 2018 and 2019.

Publication of Government’s Race Disparity audit
The Prime Minister launched the ‘Ethnicity Facts and Figures’ website on Tuesday and the summary findings from the website were published examining how people of different backgrounds are treated across areas including health, education, employment and the criminal justice system.

In relation to education attainment data shows there are disparities in primary school which increase in secondary school, with Chinese and Asian pupils tending to perform well and White and Black pupils doing less well, particularly those eligible for free school meals.  Alongside publication of the report, the Government launched a programme of work to tackle some of the disparities identified in the audit. The DfE will take forward an external review to improve practice in exclusions. This will share best practice nationwide, and focus on the experiences of those groups who are disproportionately likely to be excluded.

Guidance on storing and disposing of hazardous chemicals in schools
This week the DfE published new non-statutory guidance providing practical advice for teachers, technicians and other members of staff involved in the delivery of practical science, including the purchase, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals.  It is a useful document for school governing bodies.