A primary school where children speak a total of 31 languages has been shortlisted for a prize of $50,000 at the World’s Best Schools Prize.

Barham Primary School in Wembley is one of 10 potential winners in the community collaboration category.

The school was praised for “nurturing the identity and potential” of its students, while facing challenges that other primary schools do not.

With 930 pupils, well above the national average, it has pupils who speak 31 different languages, and of various religious beliefs.

Barham Primary is one of six UK schools to be shortlisted for prizes overall – more than any other country globally.

The winner in each of the five categories – community collaboration, environmental action, innovation, overcoming adversity, and supporting healthy lives – is to get an equal share of the $250,000 prize money.

Located in an area of social housing estates, a spokesperson for the prize said students are also exposed to “societal issues such as gangs, grooming, radicalisation, drugs, poverty, and hunger”.

The prize was founded last year by education media platform T4 Education, in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, Yayasan Hasanah, and the Lemann Foundation.

The spokesperson added that the school’s headteacher, Karen Giles, has been “unwavering in her dedication to the school community” and described her as a “singular force in driving positive change”.

T4 Education founder Vikas Pota said: “I must congratulate Barham Primary School on being named in the Top 10 shortlists for the World’s Best School Prizes 2023.

"Schools across the globe will learn from the story of this trailblazing London institution and the culture it has cultivated.”

London’s deputy mayor for children and families Joanne McCartney is “delighted” about the nomination and says it’s “testament to the tireless hard work of the school’s teachers, young people, and the parents and carers”. 

She added: “Barham Primary School encapsulates all that is great about the capital, celebrating its diversity and working in partnership with community organisations to provide fantastic opportunities for young Londoners to thrive.

"I wish Barham every success, and hope they serve as inspiration to schools across the world.”