A school that aims to shape pupils’ minds and inspire “changemakers of the future” was a finalist of two categories in the 2024 Independent Schools awards.

North London Grammar School in Colindale was a finalist in two awards at the ceremony on November 14 and 15.

In the 'Outstanding Engagement in the Community' category, it was nominated for its International Greenwich Olympiad competition, which it organised and hosted for schools around the world to share best practices in science education.

Its aim was to “to ignite a passion” for science and technology by tapping into youngsters’ curiosity, by giving them a platform to come up with ideas to turn into projects and present them with research papers, display boards and other models.

The initiative also earned it a place in the Innovation in Independent Education category.

Independent Schools Association CEO Rudolf Eliot Lockhart, North London Grammar School maths teacher Ali Lafcioglu, headteacher Fatih Adak, ISA executive council chair Natasha Dangerfield and North London Grammar School senior deputy head Gillian ErdilIndependent Schools Association CEO Rudolf Eliot Lockhart, North London Grammar School maths teacher Ali Lafcioglu, headteacher Fatih Adak, ISA executive council chair Natasha Dangerfield and North London Grammar School senior deputy head Gillian Erdil (Image: North London Grammar School)

Judges were impressed by the work at North London Grammar, which showed “a commitment to innovation”, getting pupils involved in projects to find solutions to problems and link academic concepts with practical application.

The third Olympiad competition brought more than 500 students together from 48 countries with 310 projects, the judges noted. This was recognition for “shaping young minds and inspiring future changemakers”.

North London Grammar says it promotes a curriculum based on three pillars of “goodness, knowledge and instruction”.