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News release


26 March 2010

Celebration of the most improved specialist schools and academies

The City of London Academy – Islington was one of 20 schools that achieved the greatest improvement in their GCSE results, recognised at an awards ceremony in London held by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust earlier this week.

The annual event celebrated the 633 specialist schools and academies that met the criteria in one or more of the categories below, in the 2009 GCSE or equivalent examinations. The City of London Academy – Islington, sponsored by City University London and The City of London Corporation, was recognised for achieving a 15 percentage point or more improvement between 2006 – 2009.

Chris Montacute, Strategic Director of Performance at Partnership Networks at SSAT said:

“Congratulations to these specialist schools and academies, which are improving GCSE results and transforming the lives of their students. It is through collaboration with each other, universities, businesses and with the wider local community that schools will deliver year on year improvements so that every young person, whatever their background or location, is given the opportunity to succeed.”

Ann Palmer, Principal at the Academy said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the progress students have made and our results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our students and teachers."

All 633 schools achieved the criteria in one or more of the following categories in the 2009 GCSE or equivalent examinations.

  • One of the top 5 schools in each specialism or academy with 5+ A*-C results, including English and maths, improved by 15 percentage points or more from 2006-2009.
  • One of the top 5 schools in each region with 5+ A*-C results, including English and maths, improved by 15 percentage points or more from 2006-2009.
  • One of the top 5 schools with improved 5+ A*-C results from 2008-2009.
  • One of the top 5 schools with improved 5+ A*-C results, including English and maths, from 2008-2009.
  • Schools with 5+ A*-C results improved year on year from 2006 - 2009 by 15 percentage points or more.
  • Schools with 5+ A*-C results, including English and maths, improved year on year from 2006 – 2009 by 15 percentage points or more.
  • One of the top schools with 5+ A*-C results, including and excluding English and maths, improved year on year from 2006 – 2009 by 15 percentage points or more.

The guest speaker at the awards ceremony held at Kings Place, London was Richard Reeves, Director of the independent think tank Demos.

Ends

Notes to editors

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT)

  • The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is a leading national body for secondary education in England.
  • The SSAT seeks to give more young people access to a good secondary education by building networks, sharing practice and supporting schools. The SSAT’s way of working is based on the principle 'by schools for schools'.
  • There are over 5,400 schools, nationally and internationally, affiliated to the SSAT including primary, secondary and special schools and academies.
  • Further information on the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust can be found at www.ssatrust.org.uk
  • For further information please contact:

About City University London
City University London is a principal provider of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and vocational education in the United Kingdom. The University is committed to leading London in education, research and knowledge transfer for businesses and the professions and is renowned for its international focus and the employability of its graduates. The University teaches across a range of subjects in: arts, including journalism and music; informatics; social sciences; engineering and mathematical sciences; business; law; community and health sciences. The University attracts over 23,000 students from 156 countries, while teaching staff are drawn from nearly 50 international locations, ensuring that the University has a truly international outlook. City University London was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and was awarded full university status in 1966. Please see the following link for more information www.city.ac.uk

About the City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation with three main aims: to support and promote the City as the world leader in international finance and business services; to provide high quality local services and policing for the Square Mile; and to provide valued services to London and the nation as a whole.