GCSE results published last week have revealed three of Haringey's schools have failed to meet the Government's increased expectations.

Education secretary Michael Gove announced that 35 per cent of pupils should be leaving school with five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C including maths and English in order to raise attainment nationally.

The 5 per cent rise means St Thomas More School, in Wood Green, Greig City Academy, in Hornsey, who achieved 30 per cent, and John Loughborough School, in Tottenham, at 31 per cent, have not met the new standard.

In 2008, the headteacher of John Loughborough, in Holcombe Road, a Seventh Day Adventist faith school, was suspended and replaced following years of under-performance. Haringey Council was forced to step in to avoid the threat of closure. Councillor Lorna Reith, Haringey Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Significant improvements have been made in recent years.

"We work closely with schools to give them the help and support they need so that they maintain that progress.

"As far as John Loughborough is concerned, we continue to work with the school's leadership, with the support of London Challenge, to help improve teaching and learning at the school."

All three are likely to be flagged for concern if the department for education finds future improvement to be unlikely and, ultimately, turned into academies.

In Greig City's case, if results did not improve the school could be at risk of getting new sponsors to run the secondary school, headed by Paul Sutton, as a last resort.

St Thomas More, in Glendale Avenue, welcomed respected headteacher Martin Tissot following a year of troubled behaviour at the Roman Catholic school to replace Dr Colm Hickey following concern's over his leadership.

The school has already reported significant improvements, it said.