Gurnimrat Sidhu, an Indian-origin teacher was honoured by Oxford University for helping one of her students get into the world-famous educational institutions.
Sidhu is the head of science at Oaks Park High School, in north-east London and was one of the 12 teachers to receive the 'University of Oxford Inspirational Teacher Award'. The awards were set up to encourage more state-funded schools to connect with the university.
Sidhu had feared that an error was made while marking one of her student's, Esther Odejimi's exam. Sidhu had forced her to get her exams remarked, which would enable her to get admission to Pebroke College, Oxford. In return, the 19-year-old student nominated her for the award. Odejimi said, "Ms Sidhu, hands down, is the most inspirational, supportive and selfless teacher that I have ever had the privilege to be taught by and spend time with. She continually reassured me that I was academically adequate to thrive at an institution like this, despite my socio-economic background. I will never forget the fact that every single day the school cleaners would kick Ms Sidhu and I out of her classroom at around 7pm because we were the last people left in school and they needed to lock up.”
"It is so humbling to be receiving this award and to be honest it still hasn't really sunk in. I am inspired everyday by the students that I work with and Esther is a prime example of that," said Sidhu.
