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13 January 2010

RECORD GCSE RESULTS FOR SCHOOLS IN LONDON – THE BEST-PERFORMING REGION

Schools in London have been praised after achieving their best ever GCSE results, making the region the best performing in the country.

Figures released today from the Department for Children, Schools and Families show that results in London schools are above the national average for the fifth successive year. They also show that pupils in London are improving their results at a faster rate than the national average.

The percentage of pupils in the capital gaining five or more good grades at GCSE, including English and maths, in 2009 is now at 54.0 per cent, up from 50.7 per cent in the previous year.

The improved grades are being hailed as a success for the London Challenge, an initiative that aims to boost education in the area, working in partnership with schools, local authorities and national government to raise aspirations and attainment. 

From 2008 to March 2011, the Department for Children, Schools and Families is investing in the area to provide tailor-made support for schools working in challenging circumstances, additional support for children who are falling behind their peers, and enhanced development and training for school leaders, teachers and other staff working in schools.

It is expected this will support schools raising aspirations and achievement for all pupils by creating more good and outstanding schools, and narrow the attainment gap for vulnerable groups of young people.

Schools Minister Diana Johnson said:

“Congratulations to London schools that today top the nine regions across the country, with the highest percentage of pupils achieving five good GCSEs including English and maths. What a journey from a decade ago. Well done, and a huge thank you for the hard work and dedication of teachers, pupils and their parents. This is a team effort and shows what can be achieved with targeted support and dedication.”

Professor David Woods, Chief Adviser to London Schools, said: 

“These are record results for London schools, representing continuing success above the national averages and a great tribute to the work of Heads, teachers and the school workforce as a whole, who continue to demonstrate that there are no limits to aspiration and achievement. I am delighted that London is now the highest-performing region in the country.”  

Table shows 23 most improved schools in London and the percentage of their students achieving at least 5 GCSE A*-C (inc English and Maths) - with % point increase between 2008-09.

Local Auth	School Name	2008	2009	Movement 08 to 09 (% points)
Hillingdon	Barnhill Community High School	25	48	23
Bexley	Trinity School, Belvedere	32	54	22
Hounslow	Feltham Community College	24	42	18
Lewisham	Northbrook Church of England School	28	44	16
Tower Hamlets	George Green's School	29	45	16
Southwark	Kingsdale Foundation School	33	47	14
Lambeth	Lilian Baylis Technology School	30	44	14
Waltham Forest	Tom Hood Community Science College	27	41	14
Hillingdon	Harlington Community School	26	39	13
Sutton	Stanley Park High School	26	39	13
Greenwich	Kidbrooke School	28	40	12
Havering	Redden Court School	33	45	12
Hounslow	Hounslow Manor School	30	42	12
Lambeth	Norwood School	26	38	12
Croydon	The Archbishop Lanfranc School	32	44	12
Barking and Dagenham	Eastbrook Comprehensive School	27	39	12
Newham	The Royal Docks Community School	25	37	12
Hillingdon	Northwood School	22	33	11
Lambeth	Charles Edward Brooke School	37	48	11
Greenwich	Crown Woods School	31	41	10
Richmond upon Thames	Shene School	35	45	10
Haringey	Woodside High School, a Business & Enterprise Specialist School	28	38	10
Hackney	Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England Secondary School Specialist Sports College	21	30	9

1. City Challenge is a highly targeted drive to crack the cycle of under-achievement among disadvantaged children in primary and secondary schools in three urban regions: London, The Black Country and Greater Manchester.
2. It is an expansion of the successful London Challenge and is providing support over three years from 2008 to improve outcomes for young people in the Black Country and Greater Manchester and continued support for the London Challenge.
3. City Challenge is delivered in partnership with all those working in education in the three city regions, and is backed by significant additional investment up until summer 2011. The Challenge builds on improvements already underway to develop strategies tailored to local needs in each area. By 2011, the main outcomes of the programme willbe:

·        A sharp drop in underperforming schools, particularly focusing on English and Maths
·        More outstanding schools
·        Significant improvements in educational outcomes for disadvantaged children.

London Challenge
London Challenge was launched in 2003. An Ofsted report in December 2006 stated that London schools have improved ‘dramatically’ and the investment in London Challenge has helped schools and local authorities. London Challenge was extended for a further three years in 2008, to 2011.
The London Challenge is led by Diana Johnson, Minister for London Schools and Professor David Woods, Chief Adviser for London Schools. It is delivered in partnership with schools, the 33 Greater London local authorities, and all those working in education in the city.

• For five years running London continues to surpass the national average in terms of the proportion of students achieving 5+A*-C GCSEs in all subjects with 71.2  per cent compared to 69.8 per cent for England
• For five years running London’s maintained secondary schools have outperformed the national average in the proportion of students obtaining 5+A*-C at GCSE including English and maths, achieving 54.0 per cent compared to a national average of 50.7 per cent.
• Almost one in three maintained schools in London now secure outstanding results (over 70 per cent 5+A*-C GCSEs in any subject). In 1997, only 36 schools reached this level.

Over the next three years, London Challenge will aim to achieve:

• A sharp improvement in underperforming schools, particularly focusing on English and Maths
• An increase in the number of outstanding schools
• Narrower attainment gaps between disadvantaged children and their peers
• A higher proportion of young Londoners will go on to higher education, including the most competitive universities

For more information about City Challenge visit the website at www.dcsf.gov.uk/citychallenge.

Issued on behalf of DCSF by COI News & PR. For further information please contact Mark Fenwick or Sophie Sheridan on 020 7261 8541/0207 291 2717, e-mail mark.fenwick@coi.gsi.gov.uk/sophie.sheridan@coi.gsi.gov.uk