The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss educational outcomes and home-to-school transport. Key decisions included a review of the Home to School Transport Policy and Bus Service Improvement Plan, with a focus on increasing demand for SEND transport and rising costs. The panel also reviewed educational attainment data for the academic year 2024-2025, highlighting areas of concern for disadvantaged pupils and children looked after.

Educational Outcomes

The panel received an update on educational outcomes for the academic year 2024-2025. While overall Worcestershire outcomes were broadly in line with national averages in some areas, there were noted discrepancies, particularly for disadvantaged pupils. At Key Stage 2, Worcestershire's combined Reading, Writing, and Maths results were 4.8% below the national average, with a similar trend observed for disadvantaged pupils, who were 9% below the national average. Progress 8 scores for disadvantaged pupils in Worcestershire were also lower than the national average.

For children looked after (CLA), outcomes varied. While their phonics results showed improvement and a closing gap with national averages, their Key Stage 2 combined results were on par with national CLA figures, and their Key Stage 4 attainment in English and Maths was below national CLA averages. However, CLA in Worcestershire showed better than expected progress in Key Stage 4 compared to national CLA figures.

The panel also discussed the outcomes for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Worcestershire's SEND pupils performed better than the national average in Early Years Good Level of Development and Phonics. However, at Key Stage 2 combined outcomes, they were 3% below the national average. At Key Stage 4, SEND pupils in Worcestershire achieved the same Attainment 8 score as the national average, but their Progress 8 scores were better than the national average for SEND pupils.

The report also detailed the work of the School Improvement Services team, which provides statutory functions and system leadership to maintained schools. The team supports schools with Ofsted inspections, headteacher appointments, and statutory assessment moderation. The panel noted that 16% of maintained schools required additional support, a decrease from the previous year.

Home to School Transport and Bus Service Improvement Plan

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Home to School Transport (HTST) Policy and the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Stuart Payton, Head of Transport, presented data indicating a substantial increase in demand for SEND transport, with pupil numbers more than doubling since 2018-19. This growth, coupled with increasing complexity of needs and a greater reliance on high-cost transport such as individual taxis, has led to significant cost pressures. The total expenditure on HTST has risen from £15 million in 2019-20 to £36.8 million in 2024-25.

The budget for 2026-27 is set at £48.3 million, with a savings target of £4.5 million. The council employs a transport review programme to identify efficiencies, which has delivered substantial savings. The HTST policy distinguishes between statutory duties, such as distance-based eligibility and transport for pupils with SEND, and discretionary elements like post-16 transport assistance and the vacant seat scheme.

The Severn Card scheme, a multi-operator ticketing scheme, has seen price increases approved for September 2026 to better reflect rising costs. The new annual prices are £434 for Zone 1, £693 for Zone 2, and £840 for Zone 3 (Countywide). These adjustments are intended to narrow the gap between the cost of providing the service and the available funding.

The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) aims to enhance bus services across the county, making them more reliable, affordable, accessible, and integrated. Investment through the BSIP has supported key bus services, particularly in rural areas, and has introduced ticketing initiatives to improve affordability for young people. Demand-responsive transport services have also been expanded county-wide.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about long travel distances for some pupils, with one instance of a 53-mile one-way journey to an out-of-county establishment. The panel also discussed the management of contracts, the potential for using electric vehicles in the council's fleet, and the financial implications of these initiatives. Councillor Justin Bowen highlighted the council's success in increasing the number of fostering households by 25% in the past year, a strategy he believes could serve as a model for other local authorities.

The panel agreed to several recommendations, including exploring spend-to-save initiatives, increasing member engagement in BSIP planning, and investigating the provision of free bus travel for care leavers. They also requested clarification on the source of funding for post-16 transport provided by colleges.