City of London Primary Academy Islington (CoLPAI) has been graded ‘Outstanding’ by regulator Ofsted.The school was given the top mark across all five inspection areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Inspectors said students “are at the heart of everything” and “the headteacher and her team have the highest aspirations for all pupils.”

CoLPAI is part of the City of London Academies Trust, which runs the City of London Corporation’s sole sponsored academies.

After a November visit, Ofsted reported “excellent standards of behaviour around the school”, observing that “everyone shares high expectations for all pupils” and that “governors and trustees support the school and are involved in all aspects of school life.”

The inspectors found that “leaders have made sure that staff are experts in teaching their subjects” and that this has led to “high quality work”.

They said that “when pupils do not understand something or need to talk about a worry, they trust staff to help them”, adding that “parents and carers particularly appreciate how well leaders and teachers know their child.”

Kim Clapham, Headteacher at the City of London Primary Academy Islington, said:

“I am delighted that we have been recognised as an outstanding primary academy.

“I am exceptionally proud of all pupils and staff. Their contribution and hard work means we continue to grow together as place where children are educated to the highest possible standards.

“I am also very grateful to all our parents for their support and engagement in their children’s learning.”

Andrew McMurtrie, Chair of the City of London Academies Trust, said:

“This is an exceptional Ofsted report and we are very pleased to see that inspectors have recognised the hard work of Kim Clapham, her team, and governors.

“The City of London Corporation is fully committed to providing access to excellent education for young people across the capital.

“We will continue to work closely with Kim and the leadership of the school to ensure that it continues to grow and succeed.”

The City of London Corporation sponsors or co-sponsors 10 schools across Hackney, Newham, Islington and Southwark. It also supports one maintained primary in the Square Mile as well as three independent schools.

In 2017 and 2018, Sutton Trust named the City Corporation as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average, and the leading academy sponsor for Progress 8 and Attainment 8, which track pupil progress and achievement.

To read the full Ofsted report please click here.

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk