b Raising Achievement of Somali Pupils: Research in Progress in Lambeth schools Feyisa Demie- Head of Research & Statistics Somali Community Raising Achievement Conference Richard Atkins School 8 December 2006

b Lambeth Raising Achievement Projects 1.Projects completed: Raising Achievement of Black Caribbean Pupils – 2003 Raising Achievement of Mobile Pupils – 2004 Raising Achievement of Portuguese Pupils 2005 Achievement of African Heritage Pupils – Projects in Progress 2006/2008 Raising Achievement of Somali Pupils 2006/7 Raising Achievement of White British Pupils 2007

b Lambeth Somali Raising Achievement Project: Aims and Objectives To study the achievement of Somali heritage pupils at the end of KS1, KS2, KS3 and GCSE. To undertake case study research in schools to map the reasons of underachievement. To examine the school experiences of Somali heritage pupils in Lambeth schools. To identify action plans of next steps to raise achievement of Somali heritage pupils in Lambeth.

b Project Activities Plan and Timetable The life of the project is 1 year and will have three phases: Phase 1 Activities: Research into Somali pupil underachievement in schools (July January 2007). Phase 2 Activities: Undertake research in context of every child matters to identify the needs of Somali Community in Lambeth (February and April 2007). Phase 3 Activities: Somali community and parent conference to share the findings and draw action plans (June 2007).

b Main Findings Of Phase 1 Research: Ethnic Background 3% of school population is Somali 24% African 20% Black Caribbean 19% White British 6% Portuguese

b Growth Somali School Population in Lambeth

b Number of Somali Pupils in Lambeth Schools by Type of School ( )

b English fluency of Somali pupils 835 Somali pupils in Lambeth schools. Of these 87% of Somali pupils are not fluent in English. 29% stage 1- beginner 36% stage 2- considerable support 22% -some support and becoming confident 13%- fully fluent in English

b Average Key Stage 1 Attainment by Ethnic Group 2006 (Level 2B+)

b GCSE Attainment by Ethnic Group in 5+ A*-C, 2006

b KS2 Performance by Level of Fluency in English 2006 Stages of Fluency in English NoEnglishMathsScienceAverage Stage 1 - Beginner 70%14%29%14% Stage 2 – considerable support 2821%29%39%30% Stage 3 – some support 3067%70% 69% Stage 4 – Fully fluent 1292%75%83%

b KS2 Performance by Level of Fluency in English (Average L 4+)

b Pupils Mobility and Somali GCSE Attainment (5+A*-C)

b Improvement in KS2 in Lambeth Main Ethnic Group Average 2005 Average 2006 Improvement African inc. Somali 76%74%-2% Somali47%52%5% Caribbean68%69%1% White British81%83%2% Portuguese63%77%14% All Pupils 75%77%2%

b Improvement Rate of Main Ethnic Group in GCSE Lambeth Main Ethnic Group % Change African inc. Somali57%59%+2% Somali*12%33%+21% Caribbean43%52%+9% White British46%53%+7% Portuguese37%35%-2% All Pupils52%54% +2%

b Reasons for Somali Children Underachievement Language Barriers –Most of Somali parents can’t speak/read English. –Their ability to assist their children in their studies is limited. –Language barrier may diminish their will to visit the school and speak to the members of staff about their children. –Most of the schools don’t have special arrangements to reach out those parents. Lack of understanding of British education system –UK system : children pass from stage to stage according to their age. –Somali Ed. System : children pass from stage to stage according to their ability. –Most of parents don’t understand levels (1-8) as measurement for child’s progress. Minimum parental involvement. Lack of role models.

b Conclusion- Phase 1 Research activities The total Somali population in Lambeth schools has increased by from 100 in 1997 to 835 in 2006 (880% increase). Somali population average growth rate per year pupils  Generally Somali children were underachieving but latest data suggests they have made good improvements. Somali pupils made the highest improvement at GCSE in 2006 (33%) compared to any other groups. KS2 improvement is 5%.  Main reasons for underachievement: Language Barriers. 87% of Somali pupils in Lambeth schools are not fluent in English.

b Ways Forward- Phase 2 Project  Carry out authority wide needs analysis in context of Every Child Matters to target support. This research should go beyond education and includes issues related in Housing, Health, Immigration and employment Based on the findings of the research write an action plan that is aimed at raising the achievement of Somali Pupils. Disseminate widely the findings through organising Somali Raising Achievement Conference. Raise schools, LA and parents awareness of the key issues through effective use of data.

b End of presentation – Thank you Contact details Feyisa Demie, Head of Research and Statistics, Lambeth CYPS, Canterbury Crescent, London SW9 7QE Acknowledgement: The Work on Raising Achievement of Somali Children is supported by Walcot Education Foundation. We would like to thank the Foundation for their financial support.