Today and last week students across Haringey marked major milestones and started new chapters in their lives as they collected GCSE and A-level results.

I’m incredibly proud as leader of Haringey Council that we have some of the best performing schools in the country, both when it comes to exams and other achievements.

Ofsted rates every single school in our borough either outstanding or good, meaning that no matter where you live in Haringey, you are guaranteed to have a quality school on your doorstep. Only four other boroughs in the country can match this significant achievement.

One major factor in our success is how well our schools work together, sharing information, learning from each other and celebrating each other’s achievements. We believe our new Haringey Education Partnership will build on this.

Every year we recognise members of our school community – students, teachers, support staff – at our “outstanding for all” awards. Nominations are now open and if you know anyone who has made a difference at one of our schools, nurseries or colleges I would urge you to nominate them. Just visit our website: haringey.gov.uk/ofa

Our summer activities programme has been extremely popular, with hundreds of young people taking part in activities from sports and music to drama and debating. We invested £100,000 in summer activities this year and worked with dozens of organisations to ensure there were more activities than ever before, many offered at a low cost or even free. The £1 swims at Park Road and Tottenham Leisure Centres and evening basketball at Ducketts Common have proven particularly popular.

We know from young people they want access to more events and activities like these.

They want the council to provide safe spaces where they can meet up with their friends and have fun

We will seek feedback from young people on what worked, and what we should repeat, and we urge our young residents to get engaged with Haringey’s Fairness Commission.

Young people must ensure their voices are heard: my council is committed to listening to young people as we design services for them. We want all Haringey’s young people to reach their full potential and our role is to make our borough a safer and more enjoyable place for them to grow up.

But we must do all of this within the constraints of huge financial challenges, and with £15million to save this financial year. It is a huge task – one we cannot shy away from and are confident we can achieve.