Most improved schools in the country

pic: Jack Hynes on Flickr

Tower Hamlets secondary schools were among some of the most improved in the country, with Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Girl’s School in Shadwell achieving their highest GCSE results to date – 8 per cent up on last year.

Bethnal Green Technology College was named the third most improved school in London as 80 per cent of pupils clinched five A*-C grades at GCSE level, including the two core subjects.

More than 60 per cent of Tower Hamlets GCSE students achieved at least five A* – C  grades including English and Maths, surpassing the national average by 2.1 per cent – an 8.6 per cent leap from last year.

Pupils gaining at least five A*-C grades in all subject areas also out-performed the national average by 1 per cent, with 79.8 per cent of pupils hitting the target.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “This is a momentous achievement for schools in the borough and is the result of years of hard work.

“Over the past decade, the council has built an excellent working relationship with local schools, and together, we have really focused on improving attainment levels, across the board.”

Tower Hamlets has the seventh highest levels of deprivation of all local authorities in England according to government studies, suffering one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country – underlining the significance of the borough’s success in raising levels of academic attainment.

Brian Lightman, General Secretary for the Association of School and College Leaders said: “It is a tremendous achievement in Tower Hamlets, and shows the sustained effort of leaders and teachers of schools to give intense support to enable children to achieve their best.

“Tower Hamlets is a picture of success across London in raising the standards of achievement.

“It’s a reflection on the absolute determination of staff and leaders of schools to improve life chances for pupils.”

Locally Tower Hamlets is now one of the highest achieving boroughs in East London, slipping just below Croydon, which saw 86.8 per cent of GCSE pupils achieve at least five A*-C grades – above the national average by 7.8 per cent.

Boroughs failing to meet the national average benchmark included Lewisham and Hackney, which saw grades fall below the national average by 11.6 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively.

The borough’s recent educational success has led to Tower Hamlets moving up 72 places in the national ranking in education of local authorities to sit at 38th place.

Leave a Reply