Our school award winners

Four of the best state schools in the capital were praised by Education Secretary Charles Clarke when he presented this year's Evening Standard London School Awards.

Mr Clarke joined staff, children and governors from the winning schools in an awards ceremony at the National Portrait Gallery.

"I congratulate you all on what you have achieved," he said.

This year's award-winning schools are the Coopers Company and Coborn School in Upminster and St James CE Primary School in Muswell Hill, both of which received awards for academic excellence, and the Walthamstow School for Girls and St John and St James CE Primary School in Hackney, both of which were honoured for outstanding performance in difficult circumstances.

The winning schools were chosen from amongst those singled out for special praise this year by Ofsted in the annual report of chief schools inspector David Bell. Secondary schools win a prize of £7,000, while primary schools win £3,000. Mr Clarke toasted the successful schools in the aftermath of a Budget which saw Chancellor Gordon Brown announce extra funding for education.

He told the teachers and pupils: "It is not only about resources, because there won't ever be enough.

"It's also about the leadership and commitment and talent and expertise of the people who work in these schools and turn them around."

Mr Clarke praised the Evening Standard for making its annual awards to the best of London's schools. "What you are doing by making these awards is celebrating the commitment and engagement of the people who make a real difference for thousands of young people," he said.

His message was echoed by Evening Standard Editor Veronica Wadley, who said: "I know the fantastic hard work that goes into making a success of a school.

"These awards are a celebration of that hard work and dedication."