The Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Monday 23 March 2026 to discuss the performance of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and the borough's educational test and exam results. The committee noted that Redbridge continues to perform strongly in education, with NEET figures remaining low and exam results consistently above national and London averages.

Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

The committee received an update on the number of 16 and 17-year-olds in Redbridge who were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or whose destinations were not known. At the end of the 2024/2025 academic year, the combined figure for NEET and not known young people in Redbridge was 3.1%, a slight decrease from the previous year. This figure places Redbridge in the top quintile of local authorities nationally for having the lowest percentage of such young people.

The report highlighted that male young people are more likely to be NEET, making up 68.2% of the NEET and not known cohort. White young males were disproportionately represented within this group. The data also indicated that White young people, in general, were over-represented in the NEET cohort compared to their proportion in the overall Year 12-13 population.

Several factors were identified as contributing to young people becoming or remaining NEET. These include having few or no qualifications, experience of the care system, poor school attendance, involvement with the youth justice system, substance misuse issues, and being young carers or parents. An increasing number of young people are also experiencing mental health issues that prevent their participation in education, employment, or training. The report noted that changes to government training schemes, such as traineeships, have reduced flexible entry points throughout the academic year.

The committee was informed about the strategies in place to reduce NEET numbers. The Connexions Team, part of Redbridge's Education and Inclusion service, provides support through case management, information, advice, and guidance (IAG). They work with vulnerable young people, including those in the youth justice system, children looked after, and those with SEND. The team also engages with schools to provide careers guidance and works with local education and training providers to identify gaps in provision. The importance of accurate data from schools and other providers for tracking young people's progression was stressed.

Performance Monitoring: Redbridge Educational Performance, Test and Exam Results

The committee reviewed the 2025 test and examination results for the London Borough of Redbridge, which showed a consistently strong performance across all key stages. Redbridge continues to outperform national and regional averages.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): The proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD) increased to 72.8%, remaining well above national and London averages. Redbridge ranked 15th nationally for GLD. The gap between boys and girls achieving GLD narrowed, as did the gap for pupils eligible for Free School Meals. However, the gap between autumn-born and summer-born children widened.

Phonics Screening Check (Years 1 and 2): Phonics attainment remained stable, with Year 1 results at 82.2% meeting the expected standard, above national and London averages. At the end of Year 2, 90% of pupils met the expected standard, surpassing national and London averages for the first time since 2019. The gender gap in Year 1 phonics remained, with girls outperforming boys, though the gap narrowed by the end of Year 2. The gap for pupils eligible for Free School Meals widened in Year 1 but narrowed significantly by the end of Year 2.

Multiplication Tables Check (Year 4): Redbridge pupils ranked among the top two local authorities nationally for the multiplication tables check, with an average score of 22.4. Disadvantaged pupils ranked 7th nationally, and pupils with special educational needs ranked 3rd.

Key Stage 2 (Year 6): Redbridge pupils achieved significantly above national and regional averages in reading, writing, and maths combined (74.9%). The borough ranked first nationally for writing at the expected standard. Performance at the higher standard also saw considerable gains, particularly in reading, writing, and maths. The gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils narrowed and was smaller than national and regional gaps. Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) showed significant improvement, with 34.2% meeting the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, exceeding the regional average. Performance varied across ethnic groups, with Chinese pupils remaining the highest attaining, while pupils from black backgrounds saw a slight decline.

GCSE (Key Stage 4): GCSE attainment in Redbridge declined slightly but remained above national and regional averages. Attainment 8 scores and the percentage achieving grade 4 or higher in English and maths saw a decrease, in line with national trends. However, Redbridge continues to rank among the top local authorities for GCSE attainment. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry and attainment remained strong, with Redbridge ranking in the top 10% of local authorities nationally. Girls continued to achieve higher results than boys, though the gap narrowed. Disadvantaged students outperformed national and regional averages across all key performance indicators, with attainment gaps narrowing. Students with SEN Support also outperformed national and regional averages.

A-levels and other 16 to 18 qualifications (Key Stage 5): A-level average point scores per entry improved slightly to 34.3, and the percentage achieving AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects also increased. The gap between Redbridge and national averages for these measures remained stable or narrowed. General Applied and Tech level average point scores remained strong and above national and regional averages. The gender gap for A-level APS narrowed, with improved performance for both boys and girls. Disadvantaged students' performance improved, and the attainment gaps between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students were smaller than national and regional gaps. Students with an EHCP showed an improvement in their A-level APS, aligning with the national average.

The committee noted the work plan for the Education Scrutiny Sub-Committee for 2025-2026, which included ongoing monitoring of trauma-informed practice, SEND provision, and NEET figures, as well as a review of school results and strategies for improving Religious Education provision.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Councillor Anne Marie Sachs, who was stepping down as Chair due to illness.