Harry Styles has sent a surprise congratulatory message to Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre in Camden, north-west London, after it was named among the top 10 schools globally for the World's Best School Prizes. The former One Direction singer, whose friend is a teacher at the school, praised the achievement in a personal note.
Five UK schools in top 10
The state primary and secondary special school is one of five UK schools shortlisted for the prestigious education award this year. The others are: Five Acre Wood School, a foundation all-age special school in Maidstone, Kent; Surrey Square Primary School, a state kindergarten and primary school in Southwark, south-east London; Ward Jackson Church of England Primary School, a state-funded primary school in Hartlepool; and Hybrid @ London Park School Mayfair, an independent secondary school in central London.
Harry Styles said: "This is an amazing achievement for the children, their families, the staff, therapists, local partners and national collaborators that help to make this wonderful school so special. Keep doing what you're doing and congratulations again."
Julia Donaldson sends wishes
Children's author Julia Donaldson also sent her good wishes to pupils at Ward Jackson in a video message: "Congratulations, that's a huge achievement for quite a small school and I was also very pleased to hear you like my stories, not just that you like reading them but I hear you've been acting them and drawing them and getting to really know the characters so that's great as well."
Judging criteria
The World's Best School Prizes, founded by Vikas Pota of T4 Education, are judged by a global panel of education leaders. Rather than strict numerical metrics, schools are evaluated on qualitative, evidence-based criteria in five key areas: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives.
Community Collaboration assesses how well a school acts as a local hub that partners with families to support the whole child. Environmental Action looks at a school's efforts to build a sustainable culture and develop students' green skills. Innovation measures the successful implementation of new, contextualised ideas or technologies to solve local problems and improve educational equity. Overcoming Adversity evaluates a school's resilience and use of supportive, trauma-informed practices to help students thrive despite significant challenges. Supporting Healthy Lives gauges the school's comprehensive approach to fostering students' physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.
Impact and recognition
Vikas Pota said the five UK settings have shown that "British schools truly stand among the best in the world." The recognition highlights the diverse strengths of schools across the country, from special education to inclusive primary and innovative secondary provision.
