New Progress 8 measurement changes landscape for Barnet schools as secondary league tables released

The Henrietta Barnett School may well be the best school in Barnet, and even the country, on this year’s league tables, but only if you read the data a certain way.

For the first time this year, the government is using two methods of scoring – Progress 8 for pupil improvement and Attainment 8 to measure exam results.

Henrietta Barnett, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, was the top-performing school for GCSEs in the country, going by its Attainment 8 score of 78.5 – higher than anywhere else.

However, Progress 8 has been introduced to level the playing field and put a focus on pupil improvement rather than final exam results.

New Southgate man Ali Doostizadeh blind in one eye after New Year's Day assault at Alexandra Palace

A man has been left blind in one eye after a violent attack on New Year’s Day.

Ali Doostizadeh, of New Southgate, was at Alexandra Palace to celebrate with friends on New Year’s Eve, standing by the ice rink on the south terrace of the grounds.

Around 1.30am on January 1, the 24-year-old went to break up a nearby fight when he was struck in the face with a bottle.

The laceration caused in Mr Doostizadeh’s right eye has left it blind.

70-year-old man hit by car by Hendon Cemetery in Holders Hill Road last week deteriorates in hospital

A 70-year-old man is in critical condition after being hit by a car in Hendon.

He was taken to hospital by the London ambulance service after a collision with a silver Honda Civic in Holders Hill Road, outside the entrance to Hendon Cemetery last Thursday (January 12).

Since going to a central London hospital his condition has deteriorated and he remains critical.

Former Sequoia nightclub could become late-night shisha bar in plans by business owner once prosecuted by Brent Council

The latest-open bar in Barnet could open on the site of an infamous former nightclub.

The Sequoia club, previously known as the Marquee, in 1277 High Road, Whetstone, had its licence revoked in April 2014 after a long history of drink-related disorder.

Last month, Fadi Antar, who has a 10-month lease on the premises, applied to Barnet Council for a late-night licence from 9am to 3.30am, causing concern among residents of the “sleepy” area.

Alcohol licences of Deansbrook Supermarket and H&S International Foods in Burnt Oak taken by Barnet Council

A shop owner has lost his alcohol licence after sniffer dogs found illicit booze and tobacco worth thousands in a hidden store room.

Both Deansbrook Supermarket and H&S International Foods in Deansbrook Road, Burnt Oak, were investigated by a joint operation from Barnet Council, HM Revenue and Customs and the police.

The two shops, whose licences were both held by Kishan Hirani, were found to have 14,000 cigarettes, 12kg of tobacco and over 100 litres of wine and spirits hidden away.

Brent Cross shopping centre sees Oyster card top-up machine installed by TfL after campaign from Andrew Dismore

The long-term fight to get an Oyster card top-up machine at a shopping centre has finally come to an end.

Brent Cross shopping centre’s lack of a top-up machine, despite its extensive bus connections, has long been a bugbear for shoppers and residents, championed by assembly member Andrew Dismore.

His campaign to the London assembly and Transport for London was successful as a newly-installed machine was activated at the centre on Monday (January 16).

Barnet Council announces relocation of East Barnet library to Victoria Recreation Ground

East Barnet library will be shrunk and moved to a new home as Barnet Council continues its upheaval of library services across the borough.

The policy and resources committee voted last week to spend £500,000 on turning the library into New Barnet library, which will be located at Victoria Recreation Ground.

East Barnet library is currently closed until February 25 as a series of design changes are made as the council moves to save money on library services.