Prime Highlights:
- More than a quarter of students at the London Academy of Excellence in Newham have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge this year, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The school prioritizes students from low-income families, young carers, and those with refugee status, giving them opportunities to study at top universities.
Key Facts:
- 62 pupils at LAE received Oxbridge offers this year, with about half coming from families with no history of university attendance.
- Entry to the school requires students to be on track for at least eight GCSEs at grades 9 to 7, including English and maths.
Background:
More than a quarter of students at a state sixth form in north-east London have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge universities this year, marking a significant achievement for the school and its community.
The London Academy of Excellence (LAE) in Newham, Stratford, has seen 62 of its pupils offered places at the prestigious universities, with about half coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some students care for others or are refugees, showing that the school helps those with challenges.
For Anya, 18, the news was unforgettable. She was offered a place to study Asian and Middle Eastern studies at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, calling the moment “insane” and “surreal.” Ismael, 18, who will study politics, philosophy, and economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, said he immediately shared the good news with his friends and teachers, feeling overjoyed.
Founded in 2012 with support from independent schools including Brighton College and Eton, LAE prioritizes students from low-income households, primarily from Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney. Entry requires students to be on track for at least eight GCSEs at grades 9 to 7, including English and maths.
This year, roughly half of the Oxbridge offer-holders have been eligible for free school meals, in care, or are young carers, while more than two-thirds come from households with no history of university attendance. Jai, 18, offered a place at Cambridge to study philosophy, said: “Where you come from shouldn’t hinder where you end up. This is a perfect example of what happens when you give young people the opportunity.”
Alex Crossman, executive head teacher at LAE, emphasized the school’s mission: “We exist to provide academic and professional opportunities to communities that have not traditionally benefited from such experiences.” Social mobility charities agree that a degree from an elite university remains one of the most effective paths for disadvantaged students to achieve upward social mobility.
Kami, 17, who will study land economy at Selwyn College, Cambridge, added: “Social mobility means people aren’t defined by their background. It allows individuals to reach their full potential.”
The success of LAE students this year demonstrates the power of targeted support and academic excellence in transforming lives and widening access to top universities.
