The Principal of George Eliot Academy, Homeira Zakary, has been shortlisted in the Headteacher of the Year category of a prestigious national awards scheme. The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers designed to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of young people. Homeira Zakary will find out if she has progressed in the scheme on national Thank a Teacher Day, Thursday 26 May 2022.
Homeira took on the role of headteacher at George Eliot Academy in 2017 and her transformative work successfully delivered a good Ofsted outcome in 2021. She has maintained a relentless focus on raising standards by setting high expectations and holding staff and pupils to account. Homeira believes that all children are entitled to the same standards of high-quality education regardless of their socio-economic background.
Under her leadership, the school has introduced new initiatives including whole class feedback; year group ‘family’ lunches; equipment and facilities to promote social and sporting activities during the school day; a strengthened pupil voice process; a sensory room, and funding to buy school uniform for all new Year 7 pupils in 2021. Homeira is the trust lead on science and continues to teach a Year 11 group passing on her love of science and enabling her to stay in touch with school activities.
Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive at NWSLC said, “I am delighted with the news that Homeira Zakary has been shortlisted for this award which is testament to her personal strength and determination. She is deeply respected by her team and the pupils at George Eliot Academy. Her tenacity and exceptional work ethic has contributed to sustained and significant improvement at the school, recognised by Ofsted during its recent inspection. I wish Homeira the best of luck in the future stages of the competition.”
