Government officials from Brazil flew all the way across the globe for tips on how they can improve their schools.

Igor Arraval and Maria Carolina Nogveria Dias visited Grange Primary School, in Welbeck Road, South Harrow, to find out more about the different styles of teaching if offers.

The school was told it required improvement by Ofsted inspectors in 2013, but teachers say it has made rapid improvements in the last year.

Mr Arraval and Mrs Nogveria, who work as researchers for the British Council in Sao Paulo, said: “The determination and efforts of the teachers and school leaders is extraordinary. It just shows what hard work and a clear focus can do for a school.”

During their visit, the children showed the visitors their work, books and even taught them how to take a selfie using a mobile phone.

Mrs Dias said: “The warmth and delight of the children towards us when we entered their classrooms made me think of our own very friendly approach to visitors.

“I thought the British were a cold race but I have learnt a very big lesson.”