At the heart of one of the United Kingdom’s most successful state schools is Dr. Dayo Olukoshi, a Nigerian-born educator whose leadership has transformed Brampton Manor Academy into a symbol of excellence and equity in British education.
Findingd by AllNAIJA DIASPORA revealed that under Olukoshi’s stewardship, the East Ham-based school has become a powerhouse of academic achievement, consistently producing outstanding results while ensuring that opportunity remains open to students from all backgrounds, including those who qualify for free school meals.
Brampton Manor Academy’s success story is nothing short of remarkable.
The school, which serves a diverse student body predominantly made up of Black and Asian students, has defied the odds by combining rigorous academic standards with a strong support system that includes free school meals and a commitment to student welfare.
However, these efforts have not only helped level the playing field for students from disadvantaged backgrounds but have also driven the school to national prominence.
It was learnt that the year 2022 alone, 85 students from Brampton Manor secured offers to study at the prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge — more than any other state school in the United Kingdom.
Nearly 90 percent of the school’s Year 13 students, approximately 430 in total, achieved straight A or A* grades in their A-levels, with 95% going on to study at Russell Group universities.
This achievement is the result of years of consistent progress. In 2019, 41 students were offered Oxbridge places, which rose to 51 in 2020, 55 in 2021, and finally 85 in 2022.
These extraordinary outcomes are a reflection of Olukoshi’s philosophy, focus on what truly matters, quality teaching and learning.
“We are a dynamic and successful school with students of all abilities and from a wide variety of backgrounds, all of whom contribute to the richness and diversity of our school population,” he wrotes on the school’s website.
“We are a very successful school because we focus very strongly on what really matters, the quality of teaching and learning.”
Appointed headteacher of Brampton Manor in 2008 after serving as a teacher and senior leader in various UK schools since 1992, Dr. Olukoshi brought a deep understanding of academic excellence and student development.
His own educational journey began at the Federal Government College, Sokoto, in Nigeria, where he experienced first-rate instruction and leadership — values he has carried into his work in the UK.
Despite facing challenges, including racism, Olukoshi remained steadfast in his mission.
He is quick to acknowledge that much of Brampton Manor’s success is the result of collective effort.
In 2015, he was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to education — an honour he dedicated to his entire team.
Brampton Manor Academy has also been recognised by Ofsted, receiving an “Outstanding” rating in both 2012 and 2018. Its GCSE and A-level results have consistently placed it among the top-performing schools in the country. In 2018, the Department for Education ranked Brampton Manor as the highest-achieving school in Newham, with exceptional scores across Progress 8, Attainment 8, and EBacc metrics.
Yet, what makes Brampton Manor stand out is not just its academic records, but its commitment to equity. By ensuring students have access to free meals, top-quality teaching, and a culture of aspiration, the school under Dr. Olukoshi has become a shining example of how public education can unlock doors to elite institutions, and to brighter futures.
