Islington schools are beginning the new year with a clean bill of health after the publication of St Aloysius College’s official OfSTED inspection report in December, confirming its removal from ‘special measures’ and praising the school for its rising standards across the board. This is the first time that Islington has had no schools in special measures since OfSTED inspections were introduced in the 1970s. According to the report, ‘the college no longer requires special measures, since it is now providing an acceptable standard of education for all its pupils’. New headteacher, Tom Mannion, receives recognition for ‘very good leadership and management’ which has ‘inspired both the pupils and staff to secure improvements in standards and behaviour’. The report outlines the following school strengths which contribute to the excellent report: § An improving trend in GCSE results, particularly for those pupils achieving the higher A* and A grades. § The attitudes and behaviour of pupils were good. § Attendance is good, and is above the national figure for secondary schools. The college has effective policies and procedures to monitor attendance. § The provision for the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is good and a number of opportunities exist for pupils to take responsibility. § The leadership of the headteacher is very good. The management of the college is good; a committed and industrious group of senior managers support the headteacher. § Improvements have been made in provision for pupils who have special educational needs and for pupils whose mother tongue is not English. Headteacher, Tom Mannion says: ‘The response from the staff of St. Aloysius' College when they were informed that the school was out of special measures (early) was one of the most memorable in my teaching career. We have been ably supported by the IEB and CEA@Islington. The critical analysis and advice provided by the HMI team, who have inspected the school since January 2003, was always robust but constructive. The college looks forward with confidence to the challenges that lie ahead.’ Since the school’s last inspection in January 2003, inspectors have judged that ‘standards are rising, as reflected in a range of indicators’. The report also comments the ‘significant rise in the proportion of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades in 2004 GCSE examinations. The number of A* and A grades achieved improved by nearly 60 per cent compared with the corresponding figure for 2003’. These results are noted to be due to improved teaching quality which is now ‘satisfactory overall and includes a growing proportion that is good or better’. Bill Clark, Director of Schools’ Services, CEA@Islington says: ‘St Aloysius’ removal from special measures is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the headteacher, staff, governors, parents and pupils. The school has turned itself around completely since its last inspection and I would like to congratulate Tom and his team on their well-deserved success. The future certainly looks bright for education in Islington as we are faced for the first time with a borough that has no schools in OfSTED’s special measures category.’ Councillor James Kempton, Islington council’s executive member for children said: ‘This really is great news for St Aloysius. Congratulations to everyone - Tom, the new headteacher, staff, parents and of course the pupils who have worked so hard to turn the school around. GCSE results have improved significantly, the leadership of the headteacher is very good and attendance is now at 94 per cent higher than the national average. I’m delighted that for the first time in a number of years we have no schools in special measures. This shows just how far education in Islington has come over the last few years. We now have schools where parents want to send their children that we can all be proud of.’ Ends For further information please contact: Caroline Rowe CEA@Islington T: 020 7527 5545 E: caroline.rowe.cea@islington.gov.uk Notes to editors · St Aloysius RC College, Hornsey Lane, London, N6, is a secondary school providing education for pupils aged 11-18.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008