Greenford Head Rated as One of Country's Most Inspirational

Hannah Widdison of Stanhope Primary honoured on Thank a Teacher Day

Hannah Widdison with some of her pupils. Picture: Stanhope Primary

June 18, 2026

A Greenford headteacher has been named one of the country’s most inspiring education leaders after winning a Silver Award in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Hannah Widdison, headteacher of Stanhope Primary School, was announced as the Silver Winner for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School on National Thank a Teacher Day (17 June). The award places her among a small group of school leaders nationally recognised for exceptional impact, and she will now go forward for the Gold Award to be announced at a ceremony in November.

The judges visited Stanhope earlier this year and praised the school’s strong sense of community, its inclusive culture and the clarity of its values. Under Hannah’s leadership, the school’s motto — “Empowering Every Heart, Inspiring Every Mind” — has become central to daily life for pupils, staff and families.

Speaking after the announcement, Hannah said the recognition belonged to the whole school.

“I am incredibly honoured to have been named a finalist in the Pearson National Teaching Awards, but this recognition really does belong to the whole Stanhope community,” she said. “Great schools do more than deliver results. They build belonging, open doors, raise aspirations and help children understand the power they have to make the world better. This award shines a light on a remarkable community of children, staff, families and governors, who believe deeply in what is possible when everyone works together.”

Stanhope has been named an Inclusion Quality Mark Centre of Excellence and, in 2025, its senior leadership team won Leadership Team of the Year at the National Schools Awards. The school has also been commended nationally for its strong Key Stage 2 outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, earning a letter of recognition from the Secretary of State for Education.

Alongside academic progress, the school offers a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Children learn Mandarin from the age of three, take part in LAMDA festivals, work with the Primary Shakespeare Company and engage in programmes that challenge gender stereotypes and promote equality. Staff describe a culture where wellbeing, belonging and high expectations go hand in hand.

Hannah’s influence also extends beyond Stanhope. As AI Strategy Lead for the Ealing Learning Partnership, she leads the borough’s AI Alliance, helping schools adopt safe, ethical and purposeful approaches to artificial intelligence in education.

Deputy headteacher Kat Pietruszka said the award reflected the impact of Hannah’s leadership. “Hannah is an exceptional headteacher whose unwavering commitment to children, staff and community is evident in everything she does. She is relentless in her drive to ensure that Stanhope Primary School is a place where every child feels a strong sense of belonging and is able to thrive. This recognition is richly deserved.”

Councillor Blerina Hashani, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, added: “Huge congratulations to Hannah on this fantastic achievement. It reflects the dedication, care and ambition we see in our schools across the borough, and the difference strong leadership makes to children and families.”

National Thank a Teacher Day is a significant date in the Stanhope calendar, marked with poems, cards, flowers and messages of appreciation from pupils, families and governors — a reflection of the school’s emphasis on kindness, gratitude and community.

Hannah will find out whether she has won the Gold Award at the Pearson National Teaching Awards ceremony in November.