Oak National Academy
1391. Matt Hood
Matt Hood, from London, is the Principal of Oak National Academy - the pioneering online teaching academy which has reinvented the classroom during lockdown.
Designed by 80 state school teachers, the high-quality teaching resources, covering a range of subjects such as maths, English, art and languages, can be accessed for free by teachers or families at home. Supported by the Department for Education and launched in April 2020, Oak National Academy delivered more than 2 million lessons in its first week.
In a personal letter to Matt, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I wanted to write personally to congratulate you – and everyone involved – on the establishment of Oak National Academy.
“Among the many challenges we have faced in this battle against Coronavirus, few compare with the enormity of so rapidly reimagining and reinventing education online. The scale of your success is a true Point of Light in our national story at this time.
“Together with all the teachers who have contributed their expertise and creativity so freely, your leadership has enabled this beacon of British ingenuity to provide millions of free lessons and other teaching materials to assist the continued schooling of children at home.
“I am also certain that many of your innovations will continue to benefit education in our country long after we have defeated Coronavirus.
“So thank you – and congratulations on becoming the UK’s 1389th Point of Light!”
Matt said:
“This award really goes to the fantastic teachers, developers, communications and operations professionals who volunteered their time and expertise to make Oak National Academy happen. It also goes to the schools, school trusts, sector bodies, charities and businesses who backed this army of volunteers. A real team effort.”