Schools across north London have been commended for achieving academic success.

In Barnet, Ashmole Academy, Queen Elizabeth’s School, The Compton School and Whitefield School have all been awarded gold club status.

The club celebrates schools that are achieving exceptional academic success, especially ones that face disadvantages.

Set up by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, it aims to drive up standards in schools across London, by having gold club members visit other schools to give advice and training.

Boris Johnson said: “Congratulations to all the schools that have been recognised by our gold club programme.

“There is no one size fits all approach to raising standards, but we hope other schools will be able to benefit as a result of seeing what others in the capital are doing to achieve academic excellence.

“I see gold club schools as exemplars because they enable terrific results for all their young people.”