Lambeth schools bridging divide between poor and rich pupils (From This Is Local London)

Lambeth schools bridging divide between poor and rich pupils

7:10am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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Lambeth schools are some of the best in closing performance gaps between poorer and more privileged pupils, statistics show.

Figures published by childrens’ welfare charity Barnados showed, in 2009, 48 per cent of children in Lambeth who were eligible for free school meals - a common indicator of pupils living in a degree of poverty - achieved five A* to C grades, including maths and English.

These were the best results in London for poorer pupils, and well above the London average of 38 per cent.

While in other boroughs pupils paying for school meals had dramatically improved performances, in Lambeth 56 per cent of pupils got five A* to C grades, including English and maths.

The eight percentage point difference was again the lowest in London, compared to a London average of 21 per centage points between boroughs’ richer and poorer pupils.

Barnados claimed the difference in borough performances - depending on poverty levels - across London was evidence that socially selective school admissions were holding pupils back.

Lambeth's cabinet member for children and young people, Pete Robbins, said: “These findings highlight our determination to provide a top class education for all our young people.

“For the 12th year running, the recent provisional GCSE results in Lambeth show an improvement that reflects this commitment. I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of pupils and teachers and the continued support of parents.”

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