Meridian Primary School in Greenwich has been named the winner of The PTI's 2026 Primary Impact Award, a national honour recognising excellence in teaching and leadership. The annual award, presented by education charity The PTI, celebrates primary schools that place high-quality subject teaching at the heart of classroom learning.
The one-form-entry community school, which includes specialist provision for deaf children, was recognised for building staff confidence in teaching textiles and using a PTI Primary Hub Art Day as a springboard to develop subject knowledge and raise expectations across the school. Judges praised the school for significantly improving staff confidence in textiles while raising creative ambitions across all year groups.
School leaders highlight collaborative learning
Jo Graham, executive headteacher at Meridian Primary School, said: "Winning The PTI Primary Impact Award is a fantastic celebration of our collaborative learning community in action." She added: "Engagement with The PTI has empowered our teaching team to continually review and adapt our ambitious, creative curriculum through which our children's knowledge, confidence, and pride have truly flourished."
Dr Cat Scutt MBE, chief executive of The PTI, said: "Meridian Primary School is a fantastic example of how professional collaboration and a focus on subject knowledge can make a lasting difference to teaching and learning." She noted: "Their work shows what can happen when staff are supported to build confidence and raise expectations across a school. It is a pleasure to recognise this commitment to high-quality subject teaching, and the ambition to give every child an inspiring learning experience."
Award judging and charity support
The award was judged by a panel including Dr Christine Counsell OBE, who chaired the judges, along with Dame Alison Peacock, Dr Helen Clarke, Carolyn Roberts MBE and Rod MacKinnon. The PTI said support from players of the People's Postcode Lottery has enabled it to provide nominated and winning schools with skills, tools and resources to help deliver high-quality lessons.
Since 2018, Postcode Lottery players have raised more than £1.5 million for The PTI, helping the charity support schools and pupils across England and Wales. The recognition for Meridian Primary School highlights the impact of targeted professional development on creative subjects in primary education.
