London Park School (LPS) Hybrid has been named a finalist for the World's Best School prize in the overcoming adversity category. The UK-based hybrid education model was also shortlisted for a Tes Schools award for pupil mental health initiative of the year.

LPS Hybrid is part of the Dukes Education family of schools. The school plans to open a sixth form. Ambreen Baig, a director of LPS Hybrid, said, "Telling today's young people to avoid screens is like telling previous generations to avoid books."

Ellie Ball, a 16-year-old student at LPS Hybrid, attends remote lessons from home four days a week and in-person lessons once a week. "The journey takes an hour. I don't like it. But I do it happily because I absolutely love going to school now," Ball said. She noted the difference between her current and previous schooling experience. "My mainstream school didn't use screens and I was miserable there. Hybrid school uses screens but without them, I would not currently be in education – much less loving school, planning four A-levels and university," Ball said. She plans to take four A-levels and study astrolaw at university. Ball added, "Screens aren't bad; it's the way they're used that's bad."

Another student, 16-year-old Ahlam De Chausay, has attended LPS Hybrid for five years. "The questions I get asked show parents can be nervous about the question of screen time. They assume us students must be isolated and unable to communicate as a result of hours learning through screens," De Chausay said. She continued, "But hybrid learning has helped me become more confident and social because I've been able to develop the necessary skills at my own pace. Also, because we have a lot of independent study periods built into the day and break times where we have to prove to the teachers that we've found things to do away from the screen, I'm more independent, too."

Jamie Whiteside stated that educational screen use at LPS Hybrid involves humans who know each other talking to each other. Ellie Ball's father commented that a proposed social media ban could impact future access to online GCSE provision. In a podcast interview, a government representative stated the department is not looking to ban dedicated educational platforms that support schoolwork and learning.

Why It Matters

LPS Hybrid's recognition in both the World's Best School prize and the Tes Schools award coincides with discussions about hybrid learning models and student wellbeing in education. The school's approach addresses concerns related to student engagement, particularly for those who may not thrive in traditional settings. More than 170,000 children in England were severely absent from school last year, missing at least half of their lessons.