{UAH} Woman who works in London school wins $1million world's best teacher award

Woman who works in London school wins $1million world's best teacher award after learning 35 languages spoken by her pupils

Andria Zafirakou was recognised for her work at Alperton Community School in London, which is in one of the poorest areas of the country with pupils from a variety of backgrounds

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Sally Wardle

• 18:14, 18 MAR 2018
• UPDATED20:24, 18 MAR 2018

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BRITISH TEACHER ACCEPTS GLOBAL PRIZE WITH THANKS FROM THERESA MAY

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An art and textiles teacher from an inner-city school in the UK has won a million-dollar prize for her "enormous dedication" to her work.

Andria Zafirakou was recognised for her work at Alperton Community School in Brent, north-west London, which is in one of the poorest areas of the country and pupils come from a variety of backgrounds.

She has taken the time to learn how to say basic greetings in many of the 35 languages spoken at the school, including Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil and Portuguese, to help parents feel welcome and included.

She also redesigned the curriculum with fellow teachers to make it relevant to pupils, helped set up girls-only sports clubs for those from conservative communities and is also known for taking the time to understand students' lives by visiting their homes and even joining them on the bus.

Andria Zafirakou was recognised for her work at Alperton Community School in Brent, north-west London (Image: PA)

Ms Zafirakou celebrates after winning the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize (Image: PA)

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She is the first UK teacher to win the award after being one of 10 finalists shortlisted for the fourth annual Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize.

She hailed the power of the arts after being named as the winner of the award, which recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, at a glittering ceremony in Dubai.

In a congratulatory video message, Prime Minister Theresa May said the prize was a "fitting tribute" for everything Ms Zafirakou had done for her students.

Ms Zafirakou said: "The community where I teach in Brent is beautifully diverse and indeed is one of the most multicultural communities in the world."

The school is in one of the poorest areas of the country and pupils come from a variety of backgrounds (Image: PA)

She said many students live in "challenging circumstances" and have "tough lives".

"What is amazing, is whatever issues they are having at home, whatever is missing from their life or causing them pain, our school is theirs," she told the audience.

"I know if our school could open at six o'clock in the morning, there would be a queue of children waiting outside at five o'clock in the morning. That's how phenomenal they are."

In a video message, Mrs May said: "You have shown enormous dedication and creativity in your work.

She received her award from Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Image: PA)

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"Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity and a generous heart.

"These are the qualities that you share with your students every day. So, thank you for all you have done and continue to do."

The ceremony, at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, included a performance by singer Jennifer Hudson and the trophy was delivered on stage by Formula One's Lewis Hamilton.

Ahead of the ceremony, Ms Zafirakou said she had not allowed herself to consider the possibility of winning the top prize.

She has taken the time to learn how to say basic greetings in many of the 35 languages spoken at the school (Image: PA)

"I don't even want to get my head in that zone yet, because it's just so extreme," she said.

"At the moment, I'm just trying to keep myself grounded and enjoy the ride."

The other finalists, drawn from 30,000 entries from 173 countries, were from Turkey, South Africa, Colombia, Philippines, United States, Brazil, Belgium, Australia and Norway.

Ms Zafirakou will receive one million US dollars (around £715,000) and be asked to serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey Foundation.

She will be required to remain working as a classroom teacher for at least five years and will be paid the prize money in equal installments.

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