Leopards really can change their spots- And we have the evidence to prove it!

Burlington Danes Academy in Shepherd’s Bush has transformed itself, gone are the disruptive lessons and poor achievement, and in its place are high flyers that even get to mingle with Tory Party Members! Burlington Danes Academy is a fine example of the fact that it is never too late to change. When the Head Teacher Sally Coates joined the School in 2008 she said “Visitors didn’t want to cross the playground and children ran down the corridors in lesson time’’ and Ofsted said even pupils called it ‘a rubbish school’. The students had no respect for the teachers and the school struggled to find good staff. Now it has a waiting list of over 100 people for its entry into year 7.  Sally Coates credits the new success of the school to the respect they have built up between staff and pupils. Student  Mr Akinwale who attended  Business in Focus with the engineering company Skanska  at the ClementJames Centre, describes how the school is “now it’s a great place because the students respect the school and the teachers. People don’t step out of line, not because of the sanctions, but because we value and respect what we have at school.” It is clear that the school has come along leaps and bounds and this is reflected in their examination results. In 2006, only 31 per cent of students at Burlington Danes achieved five A* to C grades in five subjects including English and maths. That total rose to 75 per cent this year which is a truly fantastic achievement. Their success has been recognized most notably by the Prime Minster David Cameron in a keynote education speech he gave last month. As a result, Miss Coates and 17-year-old Mr Akinwale were invited to address Tory party members and supporters at their annual conference in Manchester about their school’s dramatic turnaround. This is a great achievement and all those at Burlington Danes Academy should be congratulated.

It proves hard work really does pay off!

Well done!