School defies language barriers to top the table

A "TRULY multi-cultural" school in a deprived part of east London triumphed in today's league tables, helping children soar more than one year ahead of their peers.

All 45 pupils who took their Sats at St Elizabeth Catholic primary school in Bethnal Green reached the Government's target score of Level 4 in English, maths and science, with many going on to achieve higher grades.

But the school's most notable achievement in the tables was its exceptionally high score for value-added, which measures how far a school helps pupils make progress.

Between the ages of seven and 11, St Elizabeth's pupils made on average four terms more progress than expected given their backgrounds and previous test scores. As a result the school was ranked first among state primaries in London for tests taken in 2008.

The performance was particularly impressive given that one in three pupils does not speak English as their first language, and more than a quarter are from such poor homes they receive free meals.

Carolyn Lindsay, acting headteacher at St Elizabeth's, said staff were "delighted" with the children's success. "We are a truly multi-cultural school," Miss Lindsay, 48, said. "Our children work very well together."