Alderman Peel High School in Wells has been recognised as one of the most improved schools in the country at a celebration dinner in London. All 587 specialist schools and academies that have significantly improved their GCSE results were invited to attend the event at the Royal College of Physicians on Monday.

Alderman Peel High School in Wells has been recognised as one of the most improved schools in the country at a celebration dinner in London.

All 587 specialist schools and academies that have significantly improved their GCSE results were invited to attend the event at the Royal College of Physicians on Monday.

Sir Mike Tomlinson, chief adviser of London Challenge, was the guest speaker and joined Sir James Hill, chairman of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), in presenting the awards.

Elizabeth Reid, chief executive of the SSAT, said: “I would like to congratulate these specialist schools and academies for their continued success in raising GCSE results. Their efforts and achievements will mean more young people will have received good qualifications and had their opportunities widened.”

“If every young person is to receive a world class education then we must set world class standards that challenge every school to improve year on year.”

All of the 587 schools invited had to have improved their GCSE results by a minimum of 10pc over the last three years. Alderman Peel High School was invited on the basis of a 22pc improvement in its GCSE results since 2005 and a near doubling of the figure for English and maths since 2007.

Head teacher Jon Platten said: “This award is in recognition of the hard work by students, staff, parents, governors and others over the last few years and reflects the positive atmosphere around the school.”