Islington became the fastest improving council in the country last December when the Audit Commission assessed Islington as a ‘good’ council, moving it from ‘poor’ to ‘good’ in just two years. As a thank you reward, all of Islington’s schools were given a present of £1,000 to spend on their staff.<br><br>Education is an important, highly weighted score in the Audit Commission’s assessment of local authorities. Education in Islington was given two stars (out of a maximum of three) demonstrating the significant contribution that Islington schools played in the council’s overall success.<br><br>The overall examination results at various key stage levels improved significantly in 2004. In particular, last year’s GCSE results showed that Islington’s secondary schools are the most improved in the country, with a massive 7.5 percentage point increase in the number of pupils gaining five or more A* - C grades. This meant that schools beat their government target of 45% of pupils gaining five or more A* - C grades by 1.1% (46.1%).<br><br>Most schools spent their money on end of year parties, barbeques or restaurant meals for all their staff. Others bought something for the staffroom. Eve Reynolds, Headteacher of Newington Green Primary School, took all her staff away on an activity weekend to Cardfields, a residential study centre in Essex that caters for Islington school trips. <br><br>Steve Hitchins, Leader of Islington Council said: ‘The Audit Commission’s assessment was a remarkable achievement for all of us in, and associated with, the Council. <br><br>‘All the improvements in education are undoubtedly as a result of the hard work of all school staff, pupils and governors, as well as the valuable contribution of parents. CEA@Islington has, of course, played a key role in this improvement.<br><br>‘I am delighted that all our schools have enjoyed spending their well-deserved £1,000 on their staff.’<br><br>Ends<br><br>For further information please contact:<br><br>Louise Trewavas Caroline Rowe<br>CEA@Islington CEA@Islington<br>T: 020 7527 5826 020 7527 5545<br>E: louise.trewavas.cea@islington.gov.uk caroline.rowe.cea@islington.gov.uk<br><br>Notes to editors<br><br>Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment:<br>§ Comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) is about helping local councils in England improve local services for their communities. For more information please visit www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa<br>§ Between 2003-04, Islington’s GCSE results rose from 38.6 – 46.1% of students gaining five or more A* - C grades.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009