• Selected from almost 3,000 nominations and applications across 113 countries worldwide
• UK school receives $50,000 alongside a Global Schools Prize Badge, recognising extraordinary innovation, impact and achievement
• Now named as a Top 10 finalist for the $1 million Global Schools Prize, with the opportunity to secure an additional $500,000 to scale its impact — winner to be announced at the Education World Forum

Reach Academy Feltham has been named the winner for Teacher Development in the Global Schools Prize 2026, an initiative of the Varkey Foundation celebrating the world’s most innovative and impactful schools reimagining education for the future.

Reach Academy Feltham wins $50,000 prize

As the Teacher Development winner, Reach Academy Feltham receives $50,000 alongside a Global Schools Prize Badge, recognising its extraordinary leadership and impact in strengthening excellence
and professional growth. The school was selected from almost 3,000 nominations and applications across 113 countries worldwide.

Top 10 finalist in Global Schools Prize 2026

Reach Academy Feltham has also been named as one of the Top 10 finalists for the Global Schools Prize 2026, with the overall winner, and recipient of an additional $500,000 prize, to be announced at the Education World Forum on 19 May in London.

Founded by renowned education pioneer and philanthropist Sunny Varkey, the $1 million Global Schools Prize is the largest prize of its kind. Today’s top 10 announcement recognises outstanding schools worldwide that demonstrate exceptional drive and ambition for their students, regardless of circumstance, ensuring every learner has the chance to thrive.

Reach Academy Feltham is an all-through state school serving around 1,000 students aged 2-18 in one of London’s most diverse communities. Despite this context, outcomes are consistently in the top 1-2% nationally, with around 97% of students progressing to top universities, compared to roughly 20% locally.

Structured, ongoing teacher development

Its model is built on highly structured, ongoing teacher development. All staff participate in weekly instructional coaching and regular practice focused on specific teaching techniques, with continuous feedback. Teachers frequently observe and support one another in classrooms, creating a consistent approach to teaching.

This has led to strong academic outcomes – for example, in national primary tests at age 11, over 90% of pupils meet the expected standard in core subjects, compared to around 60% nationally. Reach also addresses workforce challenges by training its own teachers. Since 2020, it has trained over 60 teachers through its in-house programme, with a 100% employment rate.

The programme recruits graduates, teaching assistants, and local parents, creating clear pathways into the profession. To retain staff, the school offers flexible working, subsidised childcare, and additional leave, contributing to high staff satisfaction.

Reach Out Programme

Beyond this, Reach actively supports other schools through its “Reach Out” programme, which allows school leaders and teachers to visit, observe lessons, access resources, and learn how its systems work in practice. This is combined with ongoing collaboration and support, helping other schools strengthen their own teaching and development approaches.

Cradle to Career Model

Outside the classroom, Reach operates a “cradle-to-career” model, including home visits for all new pupils and family support services. It also supports other schools by training teachers, sharing resources, and hosting visits, extending its impact beyond its own community.

Rebecca Cramer, CEO of Reach Schools says:

“I am particularly delighted that we have won in this category. We know that the greatest determinant of a child’s educational outcomes is the teacher in front of them. We drive to get a little bit better every single day. This drive is evident from our very beginner teachers on the ITT programme, through to our instructional and live coaching, and the strategic sharing of best practice via our Reach Out programme.”

Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, the Global Schools Prize, and GEMS Education, said:  

“Congratulations, Reach Academy Feltham. Your approach to teaching and learning powerfully demonstrates how schools play a defining role in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to shape our rapidly evolving world. By highlighting your achievement, we hope to inspire a global movement to reimagine learning and turn bold ideas into real-world impact. This is more than an award – it’s a platform to spark a global conversation about scaling the best ideas in education and advancing action far beyond the classroom.”

The Global Schools Prize categories

• AI Transformation
• Arts, Culture and Creativity
• Character and Values Driven Education
• Global Citizenship and Peacebuilding
• Health and Wellbeing
• Overcoming Adversity
• SEND/Inclusive Education
• STEM Education
• Sustainability
• Teacher Development

A Global Schools Prize Council, made up of some of the most respected and influential figures in global education, technology, and philanthropy, is guiding the prize and providing strategic insight.

It is co-chaired by Stefania Giannini, former Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, and Dame Christine Ryan, former Chair of the Ofsted Board. Its members include Rosalia Arteaga, former President and Vice-President of Ecuador, Nuno Crato, Portugal’s former Education Minister, Andreas Schleicher, Director of Education and Skills at the OECD, Dina Ghobashy, Director of Education Transformation, Microsoft, Lasse Leponiemi, Co-Founder and Chairman, HundrED Foundation, Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner, GSV Ventures and co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit, Heekyung (Jo) Min, Executive Vice President, CJ CheilJedang, Jonnie Noakes, Director of The Tony Little Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning, Eton, 2019 Global Teacher Prize winner Peter Tabichi, 2023 Global Student Prize winner Nhial Deng, and Global Student Prize finalists Kenisha Arora and Kekhashan Basu.  

The Council is part of a wider Global Schools Prize Academy, which will choose the winner.  The Global Schools Prize joins the Global Teacher Prize and Global Student Prize, completing a powerful trilogy that celebrates educators, learners, and now schools as institutions of innovation and change. Together, the three prizes spark a 360-degree conversation about what it takes to deliver the best possible education, equipping children to face the future with confidence – while
rethinking the future of learning for generations to come.
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Interested schools were able to apply for the Global Schools Prize at
www.globalteacherprize.org/global-schools-prize before the closing date.