The City of London Academy " Islington was one of 20 schoolsthat achieved the greatest improvement in their GCSE results,recognised at an awards ceremony in London held by the SpecialistSchools and Academies Trust earlier this week.

The annual event celebrated the 633 specialist schools andacademies that met the criteria in one or more of the categoriesbelow, in the 2009 GCSE or equivalent examinations. The City ofLondon Academy " Islington, sponsored by City University London andThe City of London Corporation, was recognised for achieving a 15percentage point or more improvement between 2006 " 2009.

Chris Montacute, Strategic Director of Performance atPartnership Networks at SSAT said:"Congratulations to these specialist schools and academies,which are improving GCSE results and transforming the lives oftheir students. It is through collaboration with each other,universities, businesses and with the wider local community thatschools will deliver year on year improvements so that every youngperson, whatever their background or location, is given theopportunity to succeed."Ann Palmer, Principal at the Academy said: "We are absolutelythrilled with the progress students have made and our results are atestament to the hard work and dedication of all our students andteachers."All 633 schools achieved the criteria in one or more of thefollowing categories in the 2009 GCSE or equivalentexaminations.

One of the top 5 schools in each specialism or academy with 5+A*-C results, including English and maths, improved by 15percentage points or more from 2006-2009.

One of the top 5 schools in each region with 5+ A*-C results,including English and maths, improved by 15 percentage points ormore from 2006-2009.

One of the top 5 schools with improved 5+ A*-C results from2008-2009.

One of the top 5 schools with improved 5+ A*-C results,including English and maths, from 2008-2009.

Schools with 5+ A*-C results improved year on year from 2006 -2009 by 15 percentage points or more.

Schools with 5+ A*-C results, including English and maths,improved year on year from 2006 " 2009 by 15 percentage points ormore.

One of the top schools with 5+ A*-C results, including andexcluding English and maths, improved year on year from 2006 " 2009by 15 percentage points or more.

The guest speaker at the awards ceremony held at Kings Place,London was Richard Reeves, Director of the independent think tankDemos.