Three London schools have been shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prize, making the capital the city with the most finalists globally. The award, founded by T4 Education, celebrates schools that are “changing lives” in and out of the classroom. Swiss Cottage School in north-west London, Surrey Square Primary School in Southwark, and Hybrid @ London Park School in Mayfair have all been named as finalists.
Prize Categories and School Nominations
A total of five prizes will be awarded for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives. Swiss Cottage School, a state primary and secondary special school, has been shortlisted for the Community Collaboration Prize for its effort to reshape how society supports children with complex learning needs. State nursery and primary school Surrey Square is in the running for the Supporting Healthy Lives prize, while Hybrid @ London Park School, an independent secondary school, has been shortlisted for the Overcoming Adversity award.
Headteacher’s Reaction
Matt Morden, headteacher of Surrey Square Primary School, said: "To be recognised as a Top 10 finalist for the World’s Best School Prize for Supporting Healthy Lives is a huge honour for our school community. It reflects years of work to ensure that wellbeing is not an add-on, but a foundation for learning and success. From mental health support and wellbeing education to pupil leadership, community partnerships and family support, we strive to create an environment where every child feels they belong and can flourish."
Selection Process and Public Vote
Winners will now be chosen from the shortlisted entries by an expert judging panel, with the results announced in November. All 50 of the shortlisted schools will also be entered in a public vote, opening on Thursday, to determine the winner of the Community Choice Award.
Official Praise
London’s deputy mayor for children and families Joanne McCartney praised the three “exemplary” London schools on their achievement. She said: “These nominations are a testament to the amazing work of staff and the wider community to nurture the talent and potential of our young people. By providing pupils with the best possible start in life, we can ensure London is and continues to be the greatest city in the world to grow up in.”
World Schools Summit
The winners of the awards will attend the World Schools Summit in London in January to share their experiences with policymakers and leading figures in education. Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, said: “Congratulations to Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre; Surrey Square Primary School; and Hybrid @London Park School Mayfair on being shortlisted for the fifth annual World’s Best School Prizes. They have shown that London’s schools truly stand among the best in the world. Each one of these exemplary schools shortlisted for this global schools prize has, in its own unique way, helped prepare young people for a world that has never seemed so uncertain. It is more important than ever that our schools grow the leaders we’ll need to face massive challenges from rising conflict and inequality to populism and climate breakdown. In their classrooms, every day, these institutions show what works. And governments and schools across the world should learn from their shining examples.”
