LAE's core aim is to provide an inspiring, rigorous education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to the best universities and careers. Please support us in changing lives
LONDON ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE CORPORATE CIRCLE
The LAE Story
Transforming Lives
2012 LAE founded 50%
Access to a quality education is the cornerstone of a fair society, allowing young people, regardless of their background, the opportunity to succeed and fulfil their potential. An outstanding education does not just transform the life of a single child, it also has the power to transform the lives of their family and community. The core purpose of London Academy of Excellence (LAE) Stratford is to promote social mobility through education by providing a high quality academic A-level experience to disadvantaged students. Situated on the border between Newham and Tower Hamlets, two of the most deprived local authorities in the UK, LAE was set up as a collaboration between state and independent schools to address a local shortage of A-level provision and poor progression rates to higher education.
In 2011, the year before LAE opened its doors, only 330 local sixth formers took A-levels through Newham providers. Fewer than 40 of these students progressed to Russell Group universities and only three won places at Oxford or Cambridge. In the intervening years, LAE’s success has been instrumental in helping to improve outcomes for, and raise the aspirations of, disadvantaged young people in London’s East End. The school has set a new benchmark for educational excellence that others locally and nationally have sought to emulate. LAE uniquely prioritises applications from disadvantaged students in receipt of free school meals. As a result, on average half of
the students are classified as ‘disadvantaged’ compared to 4-8% at selective Sixth Forms nationally. The majority of LAE students are from families who have never sent a child to university before. The school’s education model has made it one of the highest achieving state Sixth Form schools in the country. The school has sent more than 1,050 students to Russell Group universities and over 125 to Oxbridge since 2014. Young LAE alumni are already making their mark on society too - many have embarked on graduate careers in sectors including business, law, science and education, with several alumni working as doctors for the NHS during the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
of offers reserved for Newham State Secondary Schools 500 Students currently enrolled 5,000+ Apply each year
Outstanding in all categories and overall OfSTED
Progression to Higher Education Before LAE was founded (2011/12): • Only 330 Newham sixth formers took A-levels through Newham providers • Fewer than 40 progressed to Russell Group universities from Newham schools and colleges • Only three progressed to Oxford or Cambridge Best full-curriculum A-level provider in England Sunday Times Parent Power Survey 2022 The majority of LAE's students come to the school with no access to the kind of wider network of connections and family support that can be so valuable when starting out in the world of work. Through our partnerships and extended support, LAE has helped hundreds of students to access work experience, mentoring and advice for the university admissions process.
Students are offered only the 15 core academic subjects favoured by Russell Group Universities – these are taught by highly-qualified subject specialists. 15 Core Subjects 1
Longer days allow students to participate in a rich and varied co-curricular programme including Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Extended School Day 2 volunteering and the Performing Arts Hub. EPQs enable students to develop research, referencing and critical analysis skills. This prepares them well for life at university and beyond. Extended Project Qualification 4
Inspiring speakers visit LAE every term to deliver talks to students. Recent visitors have included Theatre Director, Nicholas Hytner and Holocaust survivor, Hannah Lewis. LAEcture Programme 5
Every student completes an enrichment programme leading to an LAE Diploma. This is designed to equip them for success beyond the classroom, both at university and thereafter. LAE Diploma 6
Highest performing mainstream state Sixth Form Top four among state secondary schools in the UK
2022 results
72% of A-level grades were A*/A 90% 90% of A-level grades were A*/B 72% of students entitled to Free School Meals achieved 2 A*/A or better
Sports, Clubs and Societies 3
House-Based Pastoral System 7
Aspirational Careers Advice 8
from Newham schools and colleges Since 2014, LAE has sent more than
Every week, each student participates in a range of sports and societies, everything from boxing and Japanese lessons,
A house-based pastoral system provides students with a personal tutor whom they see daily and who is responsible for their wellbeing. Time is set aside every week for 1:1 mentoring and for sessions focused on wellbeing.
Students are assisted in making informed choices about higher education and the world of work. Speakers from industry and visits to work places and universities inspire students to aim high.
1,350 students to Russell Group universities
200 students to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science
150 students to Oxbridge
to Zumba and photography.
Altab’s Story
Altab joined LAE in 2014 where he studied A-levels in Geography, Maths and Chemistry before leaving to study Geography with Economics at The London School of Economics. He shares his thoughts on how his time at LAE impacted his career in investment banking.
I applied to LAE despite missing all of the open days – I was sold based on what I heard from students studying there at the time. I was particularly drawn to the highly academic focus of the school, and all the opportunities for personal and professional development on offer. When I arrived at university, many of the people I met were privately educated, but it turned out that we had all enjoyed many of the same sorts of experiences and opportunities, thanks to everything that had been on offer at LAE. The school provided me with a lot of support
to help get me to where I am today. The advice I received for my UCAS personal statement was particularly good, and all the things I had been able to do at LAE meant that I had too much to write about, if anything! My teachers also helped me with my applications for work experience during my time at LAE, and I was able to secure a three-week work experience placement at Deutsche Bank. I was able to leverage on this experience at university, securing a spring week at Deutsche Bank, which turned into a summer internship and a job.”
Shihab’s Story
Shihab joined LAE in 2015 and studied A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Italian. He is currently studying Maths and Economics at The London School of Economics.
For me, the best thing about LAE was meeting so many great people with the same high aspirations and focus. The environment at my secondary school was very different! I made brilliant friends at LAE who I am still in touch with. We helped each other through the pressures of A-levels and it looks like we will form a really strong professional network too as we start our careers. One of the biggest benefits of studying at LAE was the way the timetable and environment helped me to focus and improve my self-discipline,
something that has been very helpful at university. The range and balance of the experiences provided helped me to become a more well-rounded person, built my character and has proved really helpful to draw upon in interviews! I was able to get involved in so many things that I otherwise would not have been able to do, like the student investor challenge that as well as being great fun, helped me to better define my career interests. LAE played a very important role in helping me get to where I am today.”
Zainab’s Story
Zainab left LAE in 2016 with grades of A*A*A, having studied Psychology, Geography and Economics. She went on to University College London to study Psychology with Education, and is currently concluding an MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences, also at University College London. She is also working for the Mental Health Research Policy Unit, supporting the Department for Health, and plans on pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
A highlight for me was the huge number of trips we got to undertake to different universities. Getting shown round and having our questions answered by LAE alumni was very useful. The lecture series was also very
important. Although I used to grumble about having to stay late after school to attend, the talks were fascinating and I remember speaking about them at length when it came to applying to university.”
Cathy’s Story
Cathy, a student in her second year of studying at LAE, explains what drew her to the school and how she has grown academically and personally there.
I take Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths and I am planning to study Maths at university. I enjoy studying at LAE as the lessons are engaging and there is a range of support tailored to students’ needs. The teachers ensure students progress by encouraging us to research areas in wider contexts and across the curriculum. The teachers demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for the subjects that they teach, which motivates us to remain engaged in our learning. When I was choosing where to study for Sixth Form, I was worried that studying at LAE would be too difficult,
and that it would be a competitive and stressful environment. However, after being here for over a year, I love how positive and uplifting the school community is. The classroom environment is focused but also fun, and there is a sense of friendly competition, which pushes me to strive for excellence, but does not demoralise me. All students are encouraged to attend lectures given by guest speakers and leaders of industry such as MPs and university lecturers. This helps to guide our future choices and supports us in finding opportunities for enrichment.
Overall, I am really happy that I chose to study at LAE.”
>10% of LAE students have gained places at Oxford or Cambridge 100% A*-C A-level results in 2021, compared to national average of 77%
An Education That Goes Above and Beyond
The LAE Corporate Circle
Please help LAE to inspire and nurture tomorrow’s leaders, and make a lasting impact in one of the most financially deprived communities in the UK.
LAE provides a well-rounded and premium education that goes above and beyond and is akin to that received by children in the independent sector: one that combines outstanding teaching, a rigorous curriculum that focusses on STEM subjects and enriching co-curricular experiences. This high level of education and expectation has been maintained during the COVID pandemic, ensuring that students do not fall behind.
There is however a significant ‘funding gap’ of £3,000 per student between the cost of the education delivered and the support provided by the Government. This has been exacerbated by sustained cuts to post-16 educational funding. As a result, LAE is reliant upon donations and corporate partnerships to maintain this transformational opportunity for the young people and community that it serves.
£30,000 Supporter of ten children for two years
£15,000 Supporter of five children for two years
15 core A-level subjects offered
£3k in shortfall – to be made up by donations, grants and partnerships
In recognition of your support, LAE would like to offer the following ways for your company to engage with the school:
£10k
is funding provided by the Department for Education
• Your company’s name on the Supporters’ board at LAE and on the LAE website • Regular updates from LAE about the progress of the school • Regular invitations to school talks and webinars
• Invitation to take part in LAE’s mentoring and career development programme:
° Careers talk programme ° Mentoring/e-mentoring to students ° Provision of work experience placements for students ° Paid internships to students after graduating
“I love how positive and uplifting the school community is.” Cathy, Year 13
£13k for 2 years of study
London Academy of Excellence Broadway House 322 High Street Stratford London E15 1AJ supporters@lae.ac.uk 020 3301 1480 lae.ac.uk London Academy of Excellence is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, and an exempt charity. Company registration number: 07643795. Registered office address: Broadway House, 322 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 1AJ.
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