Magnificent seven transform pupils' fortunes

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Now seven London state schools have undergone such dramatic improvements that all have been judged "outstanding" by education watchdog Ofsted.

St Mary's Priory Roman Catholic infant school in Tottenham established a special "nurturing unit" to help new pupils with social and emotional problems to get used to being at school and co-operating with others. A similar unit, called the Launch Pad, exists at West Drayton primary school.

Head of West Drayton Adrian Ingham, 58, said he found a "horrible" atmosphere when he arrived with the school in "special measures" because of poor standards. "Morale was at rock bottom," he said. "Results were in the bottom 0.6 per cent in the country. The building was extremely drab and unattractive and there were major problems with behaviour so there was a high rate of exclusions. I felt a sense of rage on behalf of the children. What I saw as the enormous potential of the children was not being realised."

Among his innovations is a learning support unit for children who are struggling and whose behaviour might get them into trouble.

Now results are well above average - last year, 80 per cent 11-year-olds achieved the standards expected of their age in English and maths and 92 per cent did so in science.

The other schools that went from being in special measures to outstanding are St Mark's CofE primary, Islington, St Joseph's RC primary, Southwark, Malcolm primary, Bromley, Northway special school, Barnet, and Aylands special school, Enfield.