Avanti House Secondary School has been formally recognised by the Education Secretary for delivering exceptional outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, placing it among the highest-performing schools in the country.
The school, part of the Avanti Schools Trust, received a personal letter of congratulations from Bridget Phillipson following the release of 2024/25 academic results.
In her letter to Principal Simon Arnell and his team, Ms Phillipson wrote:
“Congratulations to you and your team on the excellent outcomes the disadvantaged pupils at Avanti House School achieved at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement.
“This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.”
The Secretary of State also encouraged the school to continue sharing its expertise and best practice across the sector, positioning it as a system leader supporting collaboration and raising standards nationally.
Avanti House Secondary has previously been recognised internationally, having been ranked among the world’s leading schools.
Principal Simon Arnell said the letter had been warmly received by staff and students alike.
“To gain recognition from the Secretary of State for Education has been a proud moment for our whole school community,” he said. “It is testament to the dedication of our staff and the commitment of our students, who continue to make outstanding progress and fulfil their potential as changemakers in society.”
He added that the school is actively supporting other institutions across London and beyond through nationally recognised RISE programmes, building networks aimed at improving outcomes for pupils more widely.
The recognition places Avanti House among a select group of schools nationally commended for narrowing attainment gaps and delivering strong results for disadvantaged learners, a benchmark that remains a key focus of government education policy.
