Two outstanding London schools have earned international recognition after being named finalists in the highly competitive World’s Best School Prizes, an initiative that honours educational institutions making transformative impacts on their communities and beyond.
Rivers Academy West London, a state secondary school in Feltham, has reached the final round in the Supporting Healthy Lives category, while One Degree Academy, a primary and nursery school in Enfield, is in the running for the Overcoming Adversity award. The accolades are part of a global competition led by the education-focused platform T4 Education.
Winners across the five categories will be announced this autumn, and the announcement has been welcomed across the capital.
Praise from London Leadership
Joanne McCartney, Deputy Mayor for Children and Families, celebrated the achievement, saying:
“These two schools exemplify how education can transform lives. Their dedication to student wellbeing and resilience is a source of pride for our city.”
A Vision for the Future of Education
Founder of T4 Education, Vikas Pota, emphasised the critical role of education in an increasingly uncertain world, citing the dual pressures of artificial intelligence and climate instability.
“The future facing today’s youth is more unpredictable than ever,” Pota said. “That’s why the work being done by schools like Rivers Academy and One Degree Academy is so important. They are innovating with compassion and purpose.”
Online Education Also Earns a Spot
Joining the two London-based schools is Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), an online independent secondary school also based in the capital. MVA has made history as the first UK online school to be shortlisted in the Innovation category.
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Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, MVA now serves over 1,100 students across 60 countries and aims to reshape traditional approaches to secondary education.
Hugh Viney, MVA’s founder and CEO, expressed pride in the nomination:
“Being recognised on the world stage is a huge milestone for online learning. We believe online schools offer a powerful solution for the over one million children in the UK currently outside the education system.”
Awards Structure and Timeline
The World’s Best School Prizes celebrate excellence in five categories:
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Community Collaboration
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Environmental Action
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Innovation
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Overcoming Adversity
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Supporting Healthy Lives
Finalists were selected from around the world, and a public vote for the Community Choice Award is now open. Winners for each category will be chosen by an expert panel and announced in October.
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In addition, finalists will be invited to participate in the World Schools Summit, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates this November—a gathering designed to foster international collaboration in education.
Inspiration from the Classroom
The recognition of these London schools shines a spotlight on the important role education plays in creating a brighter, healthier future for students everywhere. As Pota summed it up:
“These schools are beacons of hope. Their work proves that with dedication and innovation, education can rise to meet the world’s greatest challenges.”
