Celebrating excellence: a letter from the Secretary of State for Education
Published: Tue 27 January 2026We are proud to share that The City Academy, Hackney – alongside five other Trust schools – has received a letter of commendation from the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, recognising the exceptional academic outcomes we secured for our pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This recognition places our schools among the very best nationally. The Secretary of State highlighted that our performance serves as a beacon of what is possible when “ambition and commitment come together.”
A vision realised
The letter emphasises that our success is a direct result of the tireless dedication of our staff and the inspiring hard work of our students. These results are more than just statistics, they are a validation of our core vision and belief in high expectation leadership, uplifting and empowering young people, regardless of background.
Chief Executive, Mark Emmerson OBE, reflected on the recognition:
“Receiving this recognition of excellence across 50% of our schools from the Secretary of State reaffirms our fundamental mission. At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to breaking down barriers, purposefully operating in areas of significant disadvantage. We know that a child’s background need not determine their future and we intentionally design all of our systems to create a culture of high expectations and care. To have our schools recognised in this way demonstrates the effectiveness of what we do.”
Leading the way forward
The Department for Education has not only celebrated our past success but has also challenged us to act as system leaders, encouraging our Trust to share best practice to help raise standards.
A heartfelt thank you
As the Secretary of State noted, even the strongest schools can go further. While we take a moment to celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on the future.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our teachers, support staff, parents, and, most importantly, our pupils. Your brilliance is the reason we do what we do. Together, we are proving that excellence is achievable for everyone.