The national report provides a useful overview of the changes to attainment and attendance data, and highlights some of the differences between the attainment of all children, children looked after and children in need. As expected, nationally children looked after attain much less well than all children, but it may surprise some that they generally attain slightly better than children in need. This may indicate an additional level of stability in the lives of children looked after, at least those looked after long-term, or be linked to effective interventions and use of the Pupil Premium. It is also interesting that the gap between the attainment of all children and children looked after is less for children with a statement of SEN / Education, Health and Care Plan.
There is an additional short report on the attainment of children who ceased to be looked after because an adoption order, special guardianship order or child arrangements order (formerly a residence order).
Published 23 March 2017, updated 11 May 2017.