Jonathan Bishop

Chartered IT Professional Fellow

8 Heol-y-Parc, Efail Isaf, Pontypridd,

West Wales & The Valleys
CF38 1AN, Wales, GB
jonathanbishop@jonathanbishop.com
12 April 2013

07092 107212
@jonathan_bishop

Christopher Bradshaw
Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
Ty Trevithick
Abercynon
Mountain Ash
CF45 4UQ

Dear Mr Bradshaw,
Re: Statistical Measurement of School Improvement
I have been a governor at Parc Lewis Primary School. In the last year I was presented with
statistics at the school and spoke about IT strategy with the Head-teacher. In both instances I
was offended by the attitudes which I regarded as discrimination on the grounds of sex.
The within groups analyses conducted by the authority on behalf of the school were primarily
based on differences between girls and boys. This is disgusting. It makes no difference whether
ones child is a boy or a girl in terms of how their educational growth should be measured.
The Head-teacher also said that the schools IT strategy would focus on years 2 and 6 and that
he was particularly interested in targeting boys writing through various apps that are
available.
As someone with an unmatched background in research in terms of qualifications and
experience I believe the within groups analysis should change to at least the following:
Comparisons between SEN children and those without additional needs to see if the
gap is narrowing in terms of improving outcomes of those with disabilities.
Comparisons between those of low socio-economic status and those of more
prosperous backgrounds to see that this gap is narrowing (as per our responsibilities
under Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010).
I suspect the attitude of the Head-teacher at Parc Lewis is shared throughout the borough that
have their statistical data prepared by the local authority.
Can you please tell me what plans you have to update the policy on data collection and
analysis in relation to schools to assess factors that actually affect learning, such as ability and
socio-economic status as opposed to differences that have no real impact, such as the sex or
gender of pupils? Hopefully it will be something you will have looked at ahead of the governor
training on use of data I have booked to attend on 16 May 2013.
Yours Sincerely,

Jonathan Bishop LLM

Qualifications
BSc(Hons), MSc, MScEcon, LLM,
ACLIP, MIET, MIEEE, FRSA, FBCS, CITP