Exam results paint a positive picture
1:14pm Thursday 28th February 2008 in Where I Live By Elizabeth Pears
In the good books: Northumberland Park School headteacher Andy Kilpatrick with pupils, from left, Marvin Thompson, Yakup Kilic, Mythp Tran, Hanif Chamblyry and Savannah White
A Tottenham secondary school has been named one of the most improved in the country in Key Stage 3 results published this week.
Northumberland Park Community School was ranked fourth nationally for its sustained levels of improvement between 2004 and 2007.
The Trulock Road school, which has been working hard to boost achievement, was the second most improved school in London and tops the tables in Haringey for pupils' progress from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3.
The school also celebrated record achievements at GCSE last summer, with 70 per cent of pupils achieving A to C grades.
Headteacher Andy Kilpatrick said: "We are very pleased, especially because it builds on what we achieved at GCSE. It proves what we are working hard to achieve is actually happening. Our kids are learning and progressing very well. It's a very positive picture.
"The staff here are sent from heaven but the biggest asset this school has is the vibrant and supportive community who really support this school."
Greig City Academy, in High Street, Hornsey, was the fourth most improved London school and 13th nationally, in a further victory for education in Haringey.
Headteacher Paul Sutton said: "I would like to congratulate all concerned for these excellent results. I want to thank students and staff for their hard work both inside and outside the classroom.
"Staff and students have put in extra time attending revision sessions after school and in the holidays, and that extra effort has really paid off."
The figures, released on Monday by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), show the results of tests taken by Year 9 pupils in English, maths and science.
Overall, the percentage of Haringey pupils attaining Level 5 or above in the three key subjects has increased over five years.
In English, the percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 and above at the end of Key Stage 3 increased from 61 per cent to 68 per cent. English results have improved by 16 per cent over the five years, compared to a national increase of five per cent.
The percentage of pupils achieving Level 5 and above in maths increased from 64 per cent to 66 per cent. Results in maths have improved by 11 per cent over the past five years, compared to a national increase of five per cent.
Pupils achieving Level 5 and above in science increased from 56 per cent to 61 per cent, with science results improving by ten per cent over the past five years, compared to a national increase of five per cent.
But despite the improvement, exam results in Haringey continue to fall below the national average in core subjects, particularly science, where the percentage of Haringey pupils achieving a Level 5 pass is 61 per cent - well below the national average of 73 per cent.
Students obtaining Level 5 passes in maths is ten per cent under the national average of 66 per cent, although in English the gap is closing with a difference of six per cent.
Councillor Liz Santry, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The results show we are closing the gap with the national average in all three subjects.
"In particular, the improvement over the past four years at Northumberland Park has been remarkable, and that's a real credit to headteacher Andy Kilpatrick and his team."
The John Loughborough School, in Holcome Road, Tottenham, and Hornsey School for Girls, in Inderwick Road, were the only two schools which failed to improve and had a decline in results.
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