Tower Hamlets Council Faces Criticism Over Subpar A-Level Performance
Mayor Lutfur Rahman has launched a scathing attack on Tower Hamlets Council, accusing the local authority of "failing our kids" following the release of concerning A-level performance data. Figures presented to council leaders reveal that Tower Hamlets sixth forms achieved average point scores significantly below the England average, sparking urgent calls for educational improvement.
Concerning Statistical Disparities Revealed
The council's internal report disclosed that the average point score per A-level entry in Tower Hamlets stood at just 30.81 points, considerably lower than the England average of 34.85 points. This performance placed the borough in 135th position out of 153 local authorities across England responsible for school oversight. While the average grade achieved per entry matched the national average at grade C, the point score discrepancy highlights deeper performance issues.
Further analysis reveals troubling disparities at higher achievement levels. Only 25.3 percent of Tower Hamlets A-level students achieved A* to A grades, compared to 40 percent across London and 35 percent nationally. Mayor Rahman expressed particular concern about students leaving the borough for better educational opportunities, stating: "Our kids are going to schools elsewhere and getting good results. Why are kids queuing up to go to other sixth forms to get good A-level results?"
Council Defends Inclusive Approach Amid Criticism
Steve Reddy, the council's corporate director of children's services, defended the borough's educational approach, emphasizing inclusivity as both a strength and contributing factor to the statistical outcomes. "We are very inclusive, so a lot more of our children get to study at that level and we're in the top ten nationally for supporting children to study at that level," Reddy explained. "The problem is that then plays into our results which are comparatively lower."
The council report noted several contextual factors influencing the A-level results. Tower Hamlets lacks selective sixth form schools or colleges that typically achieve very high results. Additionally, borough schools offer A-level courses to students with varying prior attainment levels, including those who might not qualify for similar opportunities in neighboring authorities. The data also includes results from New City College in Poplar, which serves students from multiple local authority areas.
Positive Indicators in Younger Cohorts
Despite the A-level concerns, the report highlighted several areas of educational strength within the borough. Tower Hamlets demonstrated "high percentages" of 19-year-olds achieving two or more A-levels compared to the England average. Specifically, 72 percent of 19-year-olds studying in Tower Hamlets achieved at least two A-levels or equivalent qualifications during the 2023/2024 academic year, ranking twelfth-highest nationally.
Younger student cohorts showed particularly strong performance. A higher percentage of Key Stage two children achieved the "expected standard" than the England average, while the borough's average attainment score at GCSE level also exceeded national benchmarks. Notably, Tower Hamlets ranked fifth in the country out of 125 local authority areas for GCSE attainment among disadvantaged pupils.
Calls for Immediate Improvement Measures
Mayor Rahman has called for the establishment of a dedicated school improvement team to address the performance gaps. "We need to have a school improvement team so we can start working in partnership with our schools on how we improve them," he emphasized during council discussions. The mayor's comments reflect growing frustration with what he perceives as institutional failure to provide competitive secondary education within borough boundaries.
Council officials acknowledged the need for enhanced collaboration with educational institutions. Reddy confirmed that the council would "need to do more work" with headteachers to improve A-level results, suggesting a renewed focus on partnership approaches rather than purely administrative solutions. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between educational inclusivity and academic excellence metrics in one of London's most diverse boroughs.
