A headteacher who leads assemblies with a music hall twist and creates termly podcasts is in the running to be named the best headteacher in the country.

Paul Jordan, who has been in charge of Thames View Infants since 2007, is the only representative from London on the eight-strong shortlist for the headteacher of the year category in the Times Educational Supplement (TES) awards.

Since starting at the school in Bastable Avenue, Barking, he has seen it improve from a ‘satisfactory’ Ofsted rating to being judged ‘outstanding’ twice - something made even more impressive by the fact that 41 different languages are spoken by his pupils at home.

Paul said: “This award very much cements our vision, whereby all children, regardless of where they live, are entitled to the best education possible”.

The 46-year-old, who was born and bred in east London and has 23 years’ teaching experience, added that he was both humbled and excited by the nomination.

“Helping every child and their family to achieve their best is simply what we do here,” he said.

Paul and the other nominees will attend a special afternoon tea at the House of Commons to celebrate their success before the winner is announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, on June 23.

He is not the only potential winner from the borough’s schools, either.

Dagenham Park Church of England School has been shortlisted in the English teacher or team of the year category, while Eastbury Community School is on the shortlist for the maths teacher or team of the year.