A Romford school has been named in the list of top 100 most improved schools in the country.

Headteacher of Bower Park Mary Morrison received a letter from David Laws MP and Minister of State for Schools, congratulating the school on improvements with GCSE results. And Bower Park celebrated a double joy after being awarded academy status from February 1.

David Laws MP said in his letter to the school about its results: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the excellent GCSE performance of your pupils in 2012... Your results show that you are amongst the 100 best improving schools in terms of the progress your pupils make.

“I would like to congratulate your staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success and thank you for your leadership in continuing the drive towards high standards of educational achievement.”

Mrs Morrison said: “I received not one but two letters from the Department of Education. The first letter was unexpected but shows the journey the school has been on. Whilst congratulating me on my leadership I am very aware of the contribution of all staff, students, parents and governors.

“The second letter was from Michael Gove MP, secretary of state confirming our conversion to academy status.”

He wrote: “I would like to thank you for your commitment and wish you every success in the future.”

Richard Shaw, chair of governors at Bower Park, said “The choice to become an academy was an important one for the school and the academy will now have the opportunity to use the freedoms and flexibilities of academy status to share best practice and work with others to bring about sustained improvements to all schools in the area.”