Before every class at Mossbourne Community Academy in east London, pupils stand behind their desks and promise to "maintain an inquiring mind, a calm disposition and an attentive ear so that in this class, and all classes, I can fulfil my true potential".

A visitor might be forgiven for thinking this was a private school, with its computers, electronic white boards and striking architecture. But the 12-foot high perimeter fence makes clear this is a state school in one of the roughest parts of -London.