'Eton of the East End': London state sixth-form college gets more than 60 students into Oxford and Cambridge

"More than 60 students at a state school in one of London's most deprives boroughs have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge universities. The stunning achievement marks a record success for the London Academy of Excellence, known as the Eton of the East End, which made sixth place in this year's Sunday Times league tables. Students at the selective academy in Stratford, Newham, received 23 offers from Oxford and 39 from Cambridge. An additional four students have secured places on Cambridge foundation courses."

"In contrast, the infamous St Paul's School in London, which sets its fees at almost 36,000 a year, secured 65 Oxbridge offers this year - 35 for Oxford and 30 for Cambridge. Westminster School, which charges parents almost 50,000 a year, received 46 offers for Oxford and 29 for Cambridge. Half of the students at LAE with offers are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have eligibility for free school meals, spent time in care, have refugee status, or are young carers."

"LAE was founded in Stratford in 2012 as a state-funded free school sixth form. It was supported by several leading independent schools, including Eton College, in the hopes of widening access to elite higher education for pupils regardless of a student's financial background. Both Eton and Brighton College make yearly donations to the LAE, and the academy accepts other philanthropic donations from individuals and foundations."

More than 60 students at the London Academy of Excellence in Stratford received offers from Oxford and Cambridge: 23 from Oxford, 39 from Cambridge, and four for Cambridge foundation courses. Half of the offer-holders are from disadvantaged backgrounds, including eligibility for free school meals, care experience, refugee status, or young carers. Around two-thirds are expected to be the first in their families to attend university, and about 60 percent are female. LAE opened in 2012 with support and donations from independent schools such as Eton and Brighton College. Entry requires being on track for at least eight GCSEs at grades 9–7, including grade 7 in maths and English.

Read at www.standard.co.uk