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School defies language barriers to top the table
Tim Ross and Peter Dominiczak1 Apr 2009
A "TRULY multi-cultural" school in a deprived part of east London triumphed in today's league tables, helping children soar more than one year ahead of their peers.
All 45 pupils who took their Sats at St Elizabeth Catholic primary school in Bethnal Green reached the Government's target score of Level 4 in English, maths and science, with many going on to achieve higher grades.
But the school's most notable achievement in the tables was its exceptionally high score for value-added, which measures how far a school helps pupils make progress.
Between the ages of seven and 11, St Elizabeth's pupils made on average four terms more progress than expected given their backgrounds and previous test scores. As a result the school was ranked first among state primaries in London for tests taken in 2008.
The performance was particularly impressive given that one in three pupils does not speak English as their first language, and more than a quarter are from such poor homes they receive free meals.
Carolyn Lindsay, acting headteacher at St Elizabeth's, said staff were "delighted" with the children's success. "We are a truly multi-cultural school," Miss Lindsay, 48, said. "Our children work very well together."
Reader views (6)
My daughter attends St Elizabeth. It is a lovely school with a committed, hard-working staff. The school demands high input from pupils and parents alike and the SATS results speak for themselves. Let's try not to be chippy about the fact that a lot of the pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We can't all be middle-class but we can all aspire for the best for our children. Schools like St Elizabeth really do offer the opportunity of a better life to many who pass through its doors, something which can only benefit the whole of society. Education in the 21st century is surely about more than the 3 Rs; it is preparation for life and as such it is perfectly just that 'value added' be taken into account for all schools. Perhaps there are some smug middle-class types (are you listening, Liz from London?) who feel that their children emerge fully rounded from the womb and school really is about reading, writing and arithmetic, but many more of us recognise and value the role a good school can play in working with parents to shape our future citizens. Well done all at St Elizabeth!
- Hr, London, UK, 02/04/2009 21:51
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Can't help but think that all the English speaking children are being held back because of the extra pressure on teachers and focus on non english speaking pupils.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London, UK
no what you mean is you can't help having stereotypical ideas about chidren whose first language is not english - at least be honest about your bigotry!!! and while you are there read the article again (shouid be easy for an 'english speaking person' like yourself - you can read surely?), then you will see that despite being a multi cultural school (and i do not like to use the word 'despite' really it should be 'because'), and a faith shcool (a chrisitan one so many more of the children would have englsih as their first language, anyway), the results are good.
- KH, London UK, 01/04/2009 16:50
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'Value added' is a complete nonsense, its sole use being just what we see here - that is, to life schools up in the League Table. What I want to see is raw scores, without any of this 'value added' rubbish. It is totally irrelevant to most schools, and if you live in a middle class area it is actually a travesty. Of course, that is a subsidiary use of it - to trash middle class parents, whose schools cannot, by definition, add much value to what is given at home.
- Liz, London,UK, 01/04/2009 16:31
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proof that children who attend faith schools progress and perform better, as these schools actively encourage learning in the traditional sense. The fact that the school is also multi cultural proves the point. Well done!
- Kh, London UK, 01/04/2009 15:24
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Can't help but think that all the English speaking children are being held back because of the extra pressure on teachers and focus on non english speaking pupils.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London, UK, 01/04/2009 15:08
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Well done to all concerned.....inspirational.....proves it can be done !!!!!
- Marie Pestano, Worcester Park, 01/04/2009 12:33
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