Staff at Villiers High School, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, were presented with a silver trophy for Secondary School of the Year in The Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Teachers, students and alumni gathered at a ceremony in the school's courtyard as they were told they were one of five UK schools shortlisted for their commitment to ensuring the best possible education for their students.

The school was selected from thousands of nominations and has now been shortlisted to win one of just 14 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.

The award was presented by Joy Upchurch from Future First, an organisation which helps state schools and colleges build alumni communities.

She said: "It is an incredible recognition to get this award and it is a real celebration of all of the hard work of staff. The award is for making a difference to the lives of the children who are taught here. The staff here have really supported their students both during and after their time at school. This award shows that the students here have all the support they need to become well rounded people."

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual ceremony founded in 1998 to celebrate excellence in education and the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.

Headteacher Aruna Sharma said: "This is really the icing on the cake. We have had fantastic exam results, an amazing Ofsted report and now the entire school has been given this award. It is just fantastic. I have a brilliant senior leadership team here and we all have high expectations for our students. We want to hear from our students after they leave school, we want to know where they go on to and what they achieve. This award belongs to the whole school because we have all worked so hard as a team."

Villiers former head boy Danyal Aftab returned to take part in the socially distanced celebration.

He is now studying BioMedicine at King's College London.

He said: "I'm so proud that I went to Villiers. I know that hasn't always been the case for pupils but in the last few years the school has really changed its reputation and become a school you can say you are proud to attend."

Former head girl Svenja D'Costa, who is studying medicine, added: "Our teachers always want to know how we are doing and what we are up to. It's a brilliant school and I love coming back. This award is definitely deserved."