Our Best Start Local Plan 2026-29
Setting the local context
The 'Good Level of Development' in Gateshead
The number of children in Gateshead achieving the Good Level of Development (GLD) shows a decreasing trend over the last 3 years - from 67.6% (2022/23) to 67.4% (2023/24) to 66.4% in 2024/25.
Our 2024/25 GLD performance is behind the North-East (66.5%) and England (68.3%) averages.
For those children eligible for Free School Meals, our 2024/25 GLD performance of 47.1% is also below the North-East (49.6%) and England (51.3%) averages.
Further profiling of the 2024/25 GLD data reveals significant attainment gaps across key characteristics, including:
| Profile | Cohort | GLD % | Differential % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free School Meal Eligibility | Eligible | 47 | -24.6 |
| Not eligible | 71.6 | ||
| Gender | Males | 57.9 | -17.8 |
| Females | 75.7 | ||
| Ethnicity | BAME | 62.8 | -4.7 |
| Non-BAME | 67.8 | ||
| SEND | SEND Support | 29.4 | -47.2 |
| Non-SEND | 76.6 |
Children with a social worker (Child in Need Plan) also show a lower GLD attainment rate (22%) - lower also than Children in Our Care (33.3%).
Literacy Goals present as the main 'Specific' GLD strand for improvement at 68.6% of the full cohort and 48.2% of the FSM eligible profile.
Communication and Language Goals present as the main 'Prime' GLD strand for improvement at 81.1% of the full cohort and 65% of the FSM eligible profile.
29.4% of children receiving SEND Support achieve the GLD - higher than North-East and England averages - but no children with an EHCP secured GLD attainment in 2024/25.
We also know that GLD achievement rates are lower in our wards of highest deprivation, including Saltwell (39.8%), Dunston and Teams (43.4%), Deckham (45.7%) and Felling 47.7%).