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Lifetime achievement award for teacher’s life-changing work in Malawi

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Barry

A retired teacher has been honoured with a prestigious lifetime achievement award for his dedication to creating a sustainable future for some of Africa’s poorest people.

Barry Brindley, former deputy head at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), was the joint winner in the lifetime achievement category at the Independent School Awards 2013, in recognition of the school’s charitable project which he founded 25 years ago in aid of communities in Malawi.

The Malawi project came into being when Barry started teaching at Leeds Girls’ High School (LGHS) in 1988, having recently returned from 14 years in Africa. The project continues to this day at GSAL following the merger of LGHS with Leeds Grammar School in 2008. Barry remains as GSAL’s Malawi coordinator since retiring in 2011, when he formalised the project by setting up his charity, the Zikomo Trust.

Almost £300,000 has been raised for schools and community services in Malawi and over 200 tonnes of donated goods have been shipped out. To date 348 pupils and 53 staff members have visited as part of the biennial tour to Malawi, to give practical help to schools and community projects and see how their donations have helped.

Barry said: “I accept this award on behalf of the hundreds of pupils, parents and staff who have supported the project over the last 25 years.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to recognise a school leader who has shown a commitment to and achievement in the independent school sector over many years. Barry was the joint winner of the award, alongside Joanne Green of Francis Holland School in London.

The Independent School Awards, organised by the team behind Funding for Independent Schools magazine, celebrate excellence in the strategic and financial management of independent schools in the UK.

Read more about Barry’s nomination for the award

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