Cranford Review March / 2014
Mayor’s London Schools
Gold Club
C
ranford Community College was inducted into Mayor of London’s ‘Schools Gold Club’ at the London Mayor’s Education Conference on 22nd November 2013. The awarding of Gold School status was the climax of this prestigious conference with keynote speakers including London Mayor Boris Johnson, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Secretary of State for Education and a host of top international speakers. The Mayor’s London Schools Gold Club is a new, annual scheme, which celebrates and shares exceptional practice in London’s primary and secondary schools. Gold Club members are schools that have succeeded against the odds in improving pupils’ aspirations and achievements. The scheme champions these exceptional London schools with a Mayoral Award for 2013, works with them to identify what has made the difference for their school and helps them share this practice and their experience with other London schools. The Gold Club is based on the belief that all schools can aspire to attain excellence for all their pupils, whatever their circumstances. A school-to-school learning programme allows all schools across London to learn from Gold Club schools’ good practice in “bucking the trend” – particularly those that are overcoming factors of poverty, disadvantage and low attainment for their pupils. Cranford is one of only 26 secondary schools in London and the only one in Hounslow invited to become members of the Gold Club this year, out of the 919 secondary schools in London – this puts Cranford in the top 3% of London schools in this honourable category. As current membership is based on three years’ performance up 2012, Cranford is optimistic that the achievements in 2013 will mean that the school is likely to be invited to retain membership next year and to continue sharing its excellent practice with other London schools. In addition to the extensive high quality seminar programme that Cranford will contribute to, we also look forward to working with our Gold School partners and the London Mayor’s Office to develop further initiatives to raise standards in all London schools. Cranford has already been asked to participate in the development of the London Curriculum, an initiative to develop the use of London and its rich resources to stimulate and inspire young people. Kevin Prunty (Headteacher)