Academy success: Transformed school is country's most-improved

STAFF and students are celebrating exam success in the latest league tables which has transformed their school from one of the worst-performing academies in the region to the most improved in the entire country.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jan 2011, 22:46 BST
Updated 13th Jan 2011, 12:03 BST

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A year ago Barnsley Academy's results showed that fewer than one in five pupils had achieved five A* to C GCSE passes including the core subjects of English and maths.

Now more than 50 per cent of its students have made the grade, making it the most improved academy in the country.

The academy is one of four in Yorkshire sponsored by the United Learning Trust.

The charity's deputy chief executive Kathy August said the success had been achieved because of the principal Dave Berry's "relentless focus" on getting pupils to achieve their potential.

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She added: "Anyone who tells you there is a quick and slick fix for school improvement is not telling it like it is.

"We have gone into some of the most challenging circumstances in the country and we have just stuck at it.

"Four out of the 10 most improved academies in the country are run by ULT which shows that our approach works."