Andria Zafirakou an arts and textiles teacher from North London has been crowned the world’s best teacher in an Oscars-style awards ceremony in Dubai. Ms Zafirakou who works at Alperton Community School in Brent, beat teachers from more than 170 countries to scoop the $1m prize (£720,000).    

Ms Zafirakou's success came from her deep roots with the diverse local community where gang culture was a big problem in the area. Alperton community school is in one of the poorest areas of the country, and pupils come from a variety of backgrounds. About 130 languages are spoken in the borough of Brent. In an effort to build links with her pupils, she has learnt basic phrases in many of the 35 languages spoken at school including Gujarati, Hindi and Tamil and has visited family homes.  

“By getting pupils to open up about their home lives, I discovered that many of my students come from crowded homes where multiple families share a single property,” Ms Zafirakou said. “It’s often so crowded and noisy I’ve had students tell me they have to do their homework in the bathroom, just to grab a few moments alone so they can concentrate.” In response to this, Ms Zafirakou organised extra lessons during the day and the weekend, including giving pupils a quiet place to work. “What is amazing is that whatever issues they are having at home, whatever is missing from their life or causing them pain, our school is theirs.” She also redesigned the curriculum with fellow teachers to make it relevant to pupils and helped set up girls-only sports clubs for those from deprived communities. She’s also set up a boxing club after school so that pupils protect themselves whilst providing good exercise and most importantly keeps them off the street in the evenings. She called for more support for the “power of the arts”, saying schools can make a positive difference in children’s lives through creative subjects. “I have seen how the arts help students to communicate. The arts help to give so much confidence and really create incredible young people.” To prevent pupils getting caught up with gang violence she personally stands outside the school gates escorting pupils on and off the buses. She works closely with the police to identify potential issues and recruiters. “You can’t let that come through the school gates,” she says. “We have to protect our pupils – at all costs.”  
Prime Minister Theresa May said in a video message broadcasted to the ceremony: "You have shown enormous dedication and creativity in your work. "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."  

Some of the nominations from Andria's school

• "I am submitting a nomination for a teacher who is a true gem, one who inspires such possibility and potential in her students, their parents, the staff, her peers, the local community, and future teachers and leaders."
• "A phenomenal teacher and leader. She is guided by a moral compass that underpins a passionate desire to give every student at her school the world - no ceilings, no limitations, no boundaries."
• "She is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to ensuring that students deserve the best education possible."
• "One lady with care and passion can make a huge difference to the lives of many. She is upbeat, full of character, highly regarded and I wish all schools were blessed with a senior leader such as her!"

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation which runs the competition, said he hoped "Andria's story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world every day". It is expected that Ms Zafirakou will use some of her prize money to support art projects she says are vital to deprived youngsters. She will be asked to serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey Foundation, remain working as a classroom teacher for at least five years and will be paid the prize money in instalments. (images courtesy of The Vareky Foundation).