4 Skills and Learning

Issues and Priorities

  • In general the South West performs very well in terms of educational provision and attainment of both pre and post aged 16 pupils in comparison to other English regions and national averages. However, there are wide variations within the region and whilst some of these variations may be as a result of issues related to national, local and school level policy, some are the result of the socio-economic and geographical disparities within the region.
  • Despite high levels of performance in the region, there remain populations of both young people and adults who do not fully participate in or benefit from education and learning. This may indicate a more general lack of engagement with the society and economy of the South West.
  • The region’s workforce is highly skilled in comparison to other English regions and national averages, although, again these averages mask large geographical variations that are linked to economic and socio-economic disparities.