At the end of its first year as an academy, the percentage of students gaining five A* to C grades at GCSE rose from 25 per cent in 2002 to 33 per cent - that result is better than any achieved by its predecessor school, St David’s and St Katharine’s, in the past 10 years and almost certainly in its 25-year history.

No doubt this was as a direct result of the 70 per cent good teaching that inspectors found at key stage 4.

After years of declining numbers in Year 7, we have seen the trend reversed this year with numbers rising, although it is not yet full.

This term a brand new science block, five fully-equipped computer rooms and a new entrance and administration block open. Children are immaculate in uniform.

With a promising start like this and with every teacher having a laptop tablet which has wireless connections to the data projectors in every classroom, no wonder staff morale is very high.

No one at the school claims that this is the most successful or most improved school in the country but the determination to get there is second to none.

Tom Peryer

Chairman of governors

Greig City Academy

36 Causton Street

Victoria London SW1P