School improvement in London: A global perspective

This paper will outline CfBT Education Trust’s recent research which has considered the success of schools in London (particularly secondary schools) since 2000, identifying what might be learned from the transformation for... [ view full abstract ]

This paper will outline CfBT Education Trust’s recent research which has considered the success of schools in London (particularly secondary schools) since 2000, identifying what might be learned from the transformation for international, national and regional policymakers and donor organisations.
Inner London was the worst performing region in England in 2001, but by 2013 outperformed every region other than outer London. Improvement was most marked for disadvantaged pupils, leading to a clear reduction in educational inequality across the city. The paper will show how the lessons from the report are transferable to a developing country context.
The research concludes that a targeted government-funded school improvement programme; the introduction of new school providers to the market; an innovative teacher recruitment and training programme; and the role of leadership to bring about transformational change, along with sustained and consistent political support, were key factors in the success.
Instead of attributing the performance of pupils in London to the ethnic make-up of the city, or other ‘enabling’ factors, this paper will instead focus on the educational plans and resources that can be put in place to improve schools. Intervention at a school, local/district, regional and national level all contributed to the rise in performance of London’s schools, which transformed the city’s educational performance.
There are lessons to be learned for the developing world: the research confirms the remarkable ‘London story' that can be heralded as a global benchmark of success, which other large cities across the world can learn from.