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What follows is taken from the Evening Standard of Tuesday, March 6th 2007
Minister pays tribute to hard work of pupils and teachers
DOMINIC HAYES Education Correspondent
Four of London's best state schools were honoured by Education Secretary Alan Johnson when be presented the 2007 Evening Standard School Awards. Mr Johnson paid tribute to the hard work of headteachers, staff, pupils and governors in a ceremony last night at the London headquarters of Associated Newspapers, owners of the Evening Standard. He said, "The Evening Standard has done a marvellous service to schools in London by recognising these achievements. “It's about schools that do well with their children but it also has something really special – the fact is that London can be proud of what’s happening with its schools.”
The awards now in their eighth year, honour the achievements of the best schools in London. They show that, despite having to battle high poverty rates and other social problems, the top state schools can and do work wonders for their pupils. This year's winners included JFS, a Jewish secondary school in Brent, and St Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Primary School in Richmond. Both were honoured for academic excellence. Thomas Jones Primary School in Ladbroke Grove and St Angela's Ursuline School in Forest Gate were awarded the prizes for outstanding achievement.
Last year, 84 per cent of pupils at JFS scored at least five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths – far above national averages. At St Elizabeth's every pupil aged 11 reached the standard expected of their age in maths and science last year, while 97 per cent did so in English.
Despite being situated in two of London’s most deprived areas, both Thomas Jones and St Angela's are highly popular with parents. St Angela's topped the Newham league table for GCSE results last year, with 79 per cent of girls getting five A* to C grades, including English and maths. At Thomas Jones, 93 per cent of its 11-year-old pupils reached the level expected of their age in English and maths while 100 per cent did so in science. Mr Johnson, who spent part of his childhood in Ladbroke Grove, where he attended Bevington Primary School, said Thomas Jones was a “school that I almost went to”. He said "Once again this is a bit of recognition for everything you have done. “The winners were taken from the list of schools that were highlighted for their excellent performance by education watchdog Ofsted. The schools win a prize of £3,000 each.
Evening Standard editor Veronica Wadley hailed the “fantastic achievement” of the four schools. She said: “Three quarters of our winners are faith schools and I think that's something of which to take note. We are delighted to recognise the achievements of London's outstanding schools and the work that they do.”
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