Islington schools have demonstrated strong performance in provisional results for 2026, with several key stages exceeding national averages.
The Islington Schools Support Programme, which pilots targeted support for schools, has been highlighted as a key initiative driving improvements across various educational stages. This data-led programme, supported by a dedicated data team, involves annual meetings with headteachers and senior leadership to identify school-specific challenges, horizon scan for risks, and provide early, targeted support. Termly visits are also conducted with a more focused approach.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) saw a 2.8 percentage point increase in the Good Level of Development (GLD) to 70.6%, placing Islington on track to meet the Department for Education's 2028 target. Phonics outcomes at the expected standard also rose significantly by 5.5 percentage points to 83.2%, marking a 38-place improvement in local authority rankings. The programme's whole purpose is to drive school improvement in very targeted ways, with a specific focus on maths attainment and understanding any dips in performance observed in specific years.
At Key Stage 2, combined Reading, Writing, and Maths (RWM) at the expected standard increased by 3.3 percentage points to 70.0%, which is 6.8 percentage points higher than the national average. Performance at the higher standard also saw an increase. Islington's increase in this measure was 0.9 percentage points, from 12.8% in 2024/25 to 13.7% in 2025/26. This compares to a national trend where the higher standard percentage increased by 5.1 percentage points from 8.6% to 13.7% in the same period. The national average for the higher standard at Key Stage 2 was 8.6% in 2025/26.
GCSE results showed that 27.8% of results were grade 7 or above, an increase from the previous year and significantly higher than the national average. Strong passes in English and Maths also improved.
A-Level results indicated an increase in the Average Point Score (APS) to 38.4, with A*-A grades above the national average. Vocational and Technical Qualifications also performed well, with 21.1% of entries receiving the top 'Starred distinction' grade, significantly outperforming the national average.
In response to the data, Councillor Fin Craig, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, acknowledged the strong results while emphasizing the need to address persistent gaps. The committee's work programme for the upcoming year includes a focus on school results and attendance. The provisional attendance rate in Islington schools for the 2025/26 academic year is 92.5%, compared to the 2024/25 national figure of 93.2% and the Inner London figure of 94%. For primary schools, the attendance rate is 93.9% (2025/26), compared to 93.7% in 2024/25. For secondary schools, the attendance rate is 90.8% (2025/26), compared to 90.6% in 2024/25.
Further details on the committee's discussions can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting on 15th September 2026.