Nick Clegg hails Islington school’s award for being best in London with poor kids

An Islington primary school is celebrating being crowned the best in London for its “significant impact” on improving the lives of poor children through a Government scheme.

Pakeman Primary School, in Holloway, was named best primary school across the capital in the 2013 Pupil Premium Awards before receiving a glowing letter from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The school is now in the running for the best in the country gong for its effective use of the Pupil Premium – which boosts funds to schools for poor kids.

The country-wide winner will be announced in July at a high-profile ceremony after the Deputy Prime Minister’s letter on Wednesday.

In his letter Mr Clegg told the school: “This is a wonderful testimony to the excellent work that you and your staff have been doing to boost the attainment of disadvantaged pupils through your use of the Pupil Premium.

“The judges were impressed by your school’s investment of time to examine research evidence to help you to design your interventions.

“Your approaches have had a significant impact on the attainment of your disadvantaged pupils.”

The Pupil Premium, announced in 2010 by Mr Clegg, is additional funding for schools to help children eligible for free school meals in reaching their potential and help reduce educational inequalities. It falls to schools to decide how to spend the money, with almost £500 allocated per pupil.

In the letter Mr Clegg also revealed the total for each pupil this year will reach £900 as the Government’s investment in the country-wide scheme will be £2.5 billion by 2014/15.