New data shows that those schools that recruit Teach First teachers have seen their GCSE results improve at twice the rate of schools nationally, between 2010 and 2011.

The government data, published as part of secondary school league tables, shows an 11.3% increase (from 43.5% to 48.4%), in the numbers of pupils achieving 5 A*-C grades including English and maths studying in schools that partner with Teach First. This figure compares with a national average increase of 5.5% (from 56.1% to 59.2%), in all maintained schools in England.

This shows that the gap between Teach First partner schools and all maintained schools is closing. In 2010 the GCSE ‘gap’ was 12.6 percentage points, while in 2011 it had narrowed to 10.8 percentage points.

Teach First is an independent charity working to break the link between low family income and poor educational attainment. Teach First places outstanding graduates to teach and lead in schools in challenging circumstances, and is creating a movement of leaders who are committed to raising the achievement, aspiration and access to opportunity of children from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Teach First’s Director of External Relations James Westhead said: “It is clear that with the right combination of great teaching, strong, visionary leadership, and a positive school culture, all schools have the potential to improve”.