State School Beats Eton: Islington Collegiate A-Level Success, Islington 2026

Key Points:

• Historic Academic Achievement: An Islington state school is celebrating one of its most successful sixth form academic results in history, breaking into the national top ten.
• Outranking Elite Institutions: New figures place the school eighth nationally out of 4,354 institutions, outperforming prestigious, fee-paying private colleges such as Eton and Harrow.
• Overcoming Social Disadvantage: Despite serving an area where nearly 60% of the student cohort qualifies for free school meals (double the national average), disadvantaged students achieved exceptional progress.
• Russell Group and Oxbridge Pathways: An extraordinary 42 out of 43 students secured at least one offer from a prestigious Russell Group university, while nearly 60% of students interviewing for Oxford and Cambridge received offers.
• Full Bursaries Secured: Due to stellar academic performance, three students have been awarded full bursaries to cover their university education costs.
• Top National Trust Ranking: The Department for Education’s performance tables have placed the sponsoring City of London Academies Trust first in England for A-level points scored by disadvantaged pupils.

Islington (Extra London News) July 16, 2025 — An Islington-based state secondary school has achieved an unprecedented milestone by breaking into the top ten of all sixth forms across England, comfortably outperforming elite fee-paying private schools like Eton and Harrow in national academic progress. According to newly released Department for Education (DfE) data, the Islington Collegiate Sixth Form—operating under the City of London Academy Highgate Hill—ranks eighth out of 4,354 schools nationally. This positioning makes it the third highest-performing state-funded school in the country. The remarkable success comes despite the school serving a highly deprived metropolitan community, where nearly 60% of the pupils are eligible for free school meals, more than double the national average of 24.6%.

The academic triumphs of the North London institution are matched by a sweeping wave of elite university admissions. Of the graduating cohort, 42 out of 43 students received at least one offer from the UK’s prestigious Russell Group of universities. Furthermore, almost 60% of the students who were invited to interview at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) have successfully secured provisional offers. Additionally, three highly outstanding students have been awarded full academic bursaries to completely fund their higher education. Sponsored by the City of London Corporation, the academy’s progress-driven curriculum has proved that background and systemic socioeconomic barriers are no match for high aspirations and robust state-sector support.

How Did a State School in Islington Beat Eton College’s Academic Progress?

To understand how a state-funded academy in a historically working-class London borough outpaced the country’s most famous private schools, observers have pointed toward the institution’s highly structured academic environment. As reported by Nicola Woolcock, the Education Editor for The Times, the state sixth form has developed entry requirements and academic expectations that are technically more selective than Eton College itself.

For instance, while Eton College requires incoming students to secure grade 7s (the equivalent of an A) in at least six of their GCSE subjects, students entering the Islington Collegiate Sixth Form must secure grade 7s in eight subjects to secure their places. This strict baseline of excellence ensures that students are prepared for the intense rigours of A-level studies.

The Department for Education’s A-level progress measures—frequently referred to as “value-added” scores—calculate how much academic progress a student makes between completing their GCSEs and finishing their A-levels, compared to other pupils nationwide who started with similar academic baselines. By placing eighth out of over 4,300 schools, the Islington academy has demonstrated that its teaching methodology adds immense value, pushing students far beyond their predicted national trajectories.

What is the Secret Behind the Academy’s Ivy League and Oxbridge Preparation?

As reported by local journalists for the Ham & High, the Islington Collegiate Sixth Form was launched in partnership with the Newham Collegiate Sixth Form (NCS). NCS is renowned for its highly successful Ivy League preparation programme, which routinely helps students from working-class backgrounds in East London secure funded places at top-tier American universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and MIT.

Through this collaborative partnership, students at the Islington sixth form are provided with:

• Specialized preparation for the American SATs and required international aptitude examinations.
• Bespoke interview coaching from dedicated Ivy League and Oxbridge admission specialists.
• Targeted work experience placements at global financial and scientific institutions.
• Tailored medical and legal pathway programmes to ensure high-grade applicants navigate complex vocational entry requirements.

In addition to pure academic coaching, the school actively equips students to comfortably transition into elite academic and corporate environments. Like their peers at NCS, students are required to dress in formal business attire and are provided with specialised lessons in public speaking, elocution, etiquette, and “cultural capital”. These courses are intentionally designed to build the confidence and social skills needed to compete with privately educated peers in top-tier university seminars and corporate job interviews.

What Do the Students Think of These Elite Opportunities?

The unique structure of the school’s sixth form has generated immense excitement among local students who previously felt these elite pathways were out of reach.

Writing for the Ham & High, local reporters highlighted the perspectives of students entering these programmes. As documented in their coverage, Alexandra Jenkins, a 15-year-old student from Archway who aspires to become a clinical psychologist, explained her motivation:

“If you want to change the world and change how people think about certain issues, you need to have the skills to make that happen. I want to be a clinical psychologist and change the way people think about mental health and young people. I want to change the world for the better.”

Another local student, Phoebe Gaynor from neighboring Hackney, shared her thoughts on the school’s specialized preparation pathways, stating to reporters:

“The Ivy League part of it feels a bit like a dream. It’s what you see in films or on a television series on Netflix. It seems a long way from Hackney. Students at NCS did work experience at top research labs in Zürich and other places across Europe. It’s these kinds of opportunities you don’t get at other sixth forms… indeed anywhere, really.”

How Are Local Educational Leaders Reacting to the Historic Results?

The principal of City of London Academy Highgate Hill, Prince Gennuh, expressed deep pride in his students and staff when reflecting on this landmark success. As published in official press statements from the City of London Corporation’s newsroom, Prince Gennuh stated:

“These results are a testament to the dedication, resilience and ambition of our students, and the unwavering support of our staff and families. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

Furthermore, Prince Gennuh emphasized that the school’s mission extends far beyond the margins of a report card, noting:

“These successes reflect more than academic outcomes. Our students support one another, contribute to school life, and take up the opportunities available to them, helping to create a culture where everyone can thrive. Our sixth form is a welcoming and ambitious community, and these results show what is possible when young people are challenged, encouraged and supported. We congratulate them and wish them continued success in their next stage.”

In earlier discussions regarding the launch of the dedicated sixth form, Prince Gennuh also highlighted the critical local importance of retaining academic talent. As recorded by the Ham & High, Prince Gennuh remarked that internal school data showed that “talented and bright” students were frequently leaving Islington to access high-quality post-16 education in adjacent boroughs. “We want to keep that talent here in Islington,” the headteacher asserted.

Explore more Islington News:

Islington Council Invests £390m Following RSH Judgement, Islington 2026

74 Chapel Market Pie Shop Closes: Islington 2026

What Does This Success Mean for Disadvantaged Pupils Across London?

The implications of these results extend far beyond the borders of Islington. The Department for Education’s national performance tables revealed that the City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) is now ranked first in the entire country for its A-level point score specifically for disadvantaged pupils.

Steve Goodman, the Chair of the City of London Academies Trust, released a statement praising the collective effort of the Highgate Hill community:

“Everyone at Highgate Hill can be justifiably proud of these results, which are testament to the high ambitions and the high quality teaching the school delivers for all its students.”

Goodman went on to explain the broader social importance of the trust’s educational achievements, asserting:

“The results for disadvantaged students are even more remarkable, demonstrating that background is no barrier to students achieving success in their career and in life generally. The high A-level performance across our academies is proof of our commitment to operating in areas of need, uplifting and empowering young people across London.”

Who is Behind the City of London Academies Trust?

The City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) is sponsored directly by the City of London Corporation, the governing body of London’s historic financial district (the “Square Mile”). The City Corporation currently sponsors 12 high-performing academies across five distinct London boroughs, which include:

1. Islington
2. Hackney
3. Newham
4. Lambeth
5. Southwark

These academies are part of a wider family of schools managed or supported by the City Corporation, which also includes one state primary school situated within the boundaries of the Square Mile and three highly prestigious independent schools. By bridging the gap between corporate sponsorship, financial capital, and local state education, the trust has created an educational ecosystem designed to offer state-school pupils the same high-level networking, career counseling, and academic mentoring opportunities that are traditionally reserved for the country’s wealthiest private boarding schools.

The latest DfE performance figures confirm that this unique structural approach is yielding remarkable dividends, fundamentally redefining what is achievable within modern British state education.