Burlington Danes head teacher visits Number 10

Thursday February 2, 2012

Burlington Danes headteacher Sally Coates (far right, pale jacket) with Prime Minister David Cameron at Number 10

Burlington Danes head teacher Sally Coates took the school minibus all the way to Number 10 Downing Street following an invitation from The Prime Minister.

David Cameron has used the successful Wood Lane school as a prime example of good practice after the number of pupils gaining at least five A* to C grades, including maths and English, rose to 75 per cent.

Ms Coates, who joined the school in 2008, went to Downing Street to meet fellow head teachers and share her recipe for success.

She talked about the ethos behind the school continuing to shine despite being placed in special measures in 2004, before taking her fellow heads back to Shepherd’s Bush for a tour of Burlington Danes.

Ms Coates said: “In the cabinet room I shared with the Prime Minister and the other heads some of the features of our success. I emphasised the importance of high expectations, a no excuse culture, and targeted support for each and every student.

“I was proud and honoured to talk about the students and staff of Burlington Danes in such a prestigious setting, and it will be some time before I forget the image of the Burlington Danes Academy minibus parked up outside Number 10.”