July 7 – We have analysed the latest Welsh Government data (for 2024) on Newport’s secondary schools to give a profile of the school population including attendance, funding and attainment.
The picture that emerges is one of staggering contrasts that reflect the income disparity of households in the city. But it is important to remember this is not a complete picture. There are other ways of determining what is a good, well run, safe school.
The largest school, Bassaleg, has 1821 pupils but also has the smallest percentage of children entitled to free school meals, 6.9 per cent. Free school meal entitlement is the main measure of deprivation. Unsurprisingly, Lliswerry, Newport High (Bettws) and John Frost all have deprivation factors well above the Welsh average. St Julian’s also is above the average.
The smallest school is Ysgol Gyfun Is Coed, specialising in Welsh also has the best pupil-teacher ratio of 12.5 whereas the high demand school of Bassaleg has 21.1. All other Newport schools significantly exceed the Welsh average reflecting the increase in the city’s population.
One of the key measures of school discipline, attendance, shows Newport’s only Roman Catholic secondary school, St Joseph’s well ahead of the Welsh average with the three most deprived schools below the average. Expenditure per pupil is highest at Llanwern.
For many parents attainment is a key area. Known as the Capped Nine, grades must include those in English, mathematics and science, and Welsh for Welsh medium schools, and there is a difference of six points between each GCSE grade, so an A is worth 12 more points than a C. St Joseph’s is at the head of the pack, but Bassaleg, Caerleon and Ysgol Gyfun Is Coed are all well ahead of the Welsh average. This pattern is repeated across numeracy, literacy and science. Of note is that despite its high deprivation factor John Frost School exceeds the Welsh average across all the attainment areas.
Other aspects of schooling such as expertise in special educational needs provision or prowess in music or sports such as football and rugby are not covered in our analysis but maybe key factors in any school choice.
