National Recognition for Hull Schools Supporting Disadvantaged Pupils
Several Hull schools have been singled out for national recognition by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson for their exceptional work in supporting disadvantaged pupils and closing the attainment gap. The schools, which include both primary and secondary institutions across the city, were praised for achieving outcomes for pupils eligible for free school meals that significantly exceed the national average, despite Hull being one of the most economically deprived local authority areas in England.
Among the schools recognised were Newland St John's Church of England Academy in the Avenues, which was highlighted for its reading programme that has seen disadvantaged pupils outperform the national average at Key Stage 2 for three consecutive years. Sirius Academy North in Bransholme was also commended for its innovative mentoring scheme, which pairs every pupil premium student with a dedicated staff mentor who tracks their progress and provides additional support throughout the academic year. Both schools will receive additional funding to share their best practice with other institutions across the region.
The recognition comes at a time when Hull's schools have been making steady progress in national league tables after years of underperformance. The city's GCSE results in 2025 showed the strongest improvement of any local authority in Yorkshire and the Humber, with the percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics rising by four percentage points. Hull City Council's director of children's services, Angela Deighton, attributed the improvement to sustained investment in teacher recruitment and retention, targeted intervention programmes, and strong partnerships between schools and local support services.
Education Secretary Phillipson, who visited Hull earlier this month to meet pupils and staff at the recognised schools, described the city's achievements as "an inspiration to schools across the country." She added: "These schools are proving that a child's background does not have to determine their future. The dedication of the teachers and support staff in Hull is making a real and measurable difference to young lives, and I want to see their approach replicated nationwide."