A COMMONWEAL teacher came close to clinching a top national award.

Lottie O’Brien, who is joint head of social sciences at the Old Town school, was put forward for the Global Educator of the Year Award by fellow teachers.

Now in its third year, the scheme is managed by education charity Think Global and recognises teachers who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to raise the profile of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – which push the cause of education for children around the world.

Teacher Lottie has been a joint head of social sciences at the school since 2014. According to her colleagues, she has totally changed the citizenship and ethical studies curriculum – as well as refreshing the student newspaper, The Day.

She supports a network of 24 schools across Swindon and Wiltshire, training other teachers in how to use the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to shape their lessons.

Lottie said: “The things I do in school I do because I think they are important for the students – I don’t expect any recognition for it."

At the London awards bash on Friday, Lottie narrowly lost out to winner Jane Yates, an English teacher at a Cumbria primary school.

“I went there to have a lovely evening,” Lottie said. "I didn’t win, but it was great to meet all the other finalists and celebrate everyone’s work on global education.”

Earlier this month, Lottie joined two of her students on a visit to Westminster. The Year 9 girls, Holly Griffiths and Maegan Watts, spoke to MPs and government officials about their Send My Friend to School campaign.

Directed by Lottie, the pair had spent the last few months speaking to pupils, employers and politicians about their ambition to get the UK government to boost the amount of aid money invested in education around the world.

“I’m really proud of the girls," said Lottie. "At such a young age, they’re just so inspirational. They’ve had to put themselves out there."