Trinity School named second most improved school in London

RECORD GCSE RESULTS FOR SCHOOLS IN LONDON -

THE BEST-PERFORMING REGION

- Trinity School, Belvedere, named among most improved in the capital -   

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.

In Bexley, 57.3 per cent of pupils achieved five good GCSEs in 2009, which was up 5.9 percentage points (ppts) on 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."  

Trinity School in Belvedere was named second most improved in London.

Trinity School Headteacher Ian Collins said:

"The examination results at GCSE were the best in the history of the school and it is fantastic to be named as the second most improved school in London. These results represent a magnificent joint effort by pupils and staff as well as planned intervention by consultants from Education London. Trinity has encouraged and enabled every one of our young people to be successful in all aspects of their learning. We are delighted by their achievements and I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of students, to the teachers who went the extra mile, and to parents who worked in close partnership with the school. The improvement is testament to the strong learning relationships which Trinity develops with all its pupils. Just as important as the headline statistic is the fact that 99 per cent of students - that is all but two - gained five GCSEs including English and Maths."

Trinity School student Kate Bradley, 16, commented:

"I was ecstatic about my results in the summer as I worked extremely hard for them, achieving 11 GCSE grades A*-C. I was able to exceed my expectations with the help of subject teachers and through the facilities available in the school. My best result was in maths because the after school revisions helped me prepare for my exams. I was able to take advantage of all the school computer rooms whilst completing ICT coursework and undertaking revision for my other lessons."