Tottenham’s new stadium even has its own sixth-form college

A new state sixth-form set up by Tottenham and a leading private school has opened its doors for the first time.

Some 127 teenagers started this week at London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, based at the new White Hart Lane stadium site.

The academically selective free school is sponsored by £20,000-a-year Highgate School and Spurs, and is modelled on London Academy of Excellence Stratford, which has been dubbed the “Eton of the East End”.

It aims to bring teaching from leading independent schools to teenagers in one of the capital’s most underprivileged areas. Highgate School will recruit staff and provide administrative and pastoral support, and Spurs will provide financial aid as the main business sponsor. Nine other independent schools will form a partnership with it: Alleyn’s, Chigwell, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’, Harrow, John Lyon, Mill Hill, North London Collegiate, St Albans and St Dunstan’s.

The school will prioritise local students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We will offer a first-class academic curriculum delivered by subject-specialist teachers,” said head teacher Jan

Spurs executive director Donna-Maria Cullen said: “This is an extension of the club’s efforts to improve opportunities for local people.” Highgate School head Adam Pettitt said: “We want to enable bright local children to access a high-calibre academic education.”