Disadvantaged school pupils in Brighton and Hove have not been achieving the same results as their better-off classmates, according to a new report to councillors.
The report on educational standards said that results had improved for disadvantaged pupils – and their GCSE results were better than the south east average for those who were disadvantaged.
But an analysis found poorer outcomes for youngsters in two council electoral wards – Moulsecoomb and Bevendean and East Brighton – for Key Stage 2 SATs (standard assessment tests) and Key Stage 4 GCSEs last year.
In Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, just 26 per cent of the 125 GCSE students living in the area achieved the top grades of 9 to 5 in GCSE English and maths.
At Key Stage 2, 45 per cent of the 137 pupils achieved the expected reading, writing and maths standard.
In East Brighton, which includes the Whitehawk estate, 37 per cent of the 137 GCSE students in the area achieved grades 9 to 5 in English and maths.
And at Key Stage 2, 44 per cent of the 154 pupils achieved the expected reading, writing and maths standard.
In contrast, 75 per cent of the 153 GCSE students in Withdean ward achieved 9 to 5 grades in English and maths, making it the highest performing area at Key Stage 4.
At Key Stage 2, the best-performing ward was Westbourne where 81 per cent of the 73 pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.
The report said: “Maths and reading projects will continue to target all schools within the most deprived wards and, where they are not already engaged, work will be undertaken to understand why.
“Likewise, wider training and professional development offers will target these schools to ensure they benefit.
“The local authority will continue to work with the multi-academy trusts to develop strong relationships and look at shared approaches to supporting the pupils in these wards.
“We are reviewing the current partnership cluster model to ensure that schools in Whitehawk are active participants in strong partnerships that focus on school improvement.
“We will continue to work with community partners such as Class Divide to look at practical steps that can be taken to improve the educational experience of children and young people in these wards.”
Class Divide is a campaign group seeking better educational outcomes for youngsters living in the Whitehawk, Manor Farm and Bristol Estate areas.
