Academy 'on track
4:21pm Friday 4th March 2005 in Where I Live
Greig City Academy in Hornsey is celebrating an Ofsted report which said it is improving rapidly, with falling truancy figures and an improved culture of learning.
The report is being treated as a major step forward after the academy had the lowest GCSE results in the borough last year, faring even worse than in previous years.
The Ofsted inspection took place during December and found that teaching standards were satisfactory or better in 90 per cent of lessons, and that pupils' attitude and behaviour was satisfactory or better in 96 per cent of lessons.
A school spokesman said: "Being satisfactory is being normal, in that it's good. Any teacher would say to you there's always the opportunity to make lessons more informative."
The overall conclusion of the report was that the academy is improving quickly, and that early problems within the school have been overcome and adults and pupils are working together.
The report also stated that truancy had dropped from 6.6 per cent to 1.9 per cent.
Vice principal David Hearn attributed this improvement to electronic checking of attendance, and follow-up text messages, telephone calls and letters sent to parents and carers.
The report's good news came alongside the official opening of the school's new 144-seater theatre. TV star and former pupil Tameka Empson graced the new stage, keeping guests and students well entertained.
One guest of honour remained absent, however. Principal Paul Sutton is recovering well following a spinal operation at Charing Cross Hospital for an injury sustained playing rugby.
The school, in Hillfield Avenue, was the first city academy opened in 2002 under Government plans to improve education standards for all students.
