Nitya Paul

About the winner:

Nitya Paul is Head of Art and Technology at Ark Burlington Danes Academy.

What the judges said:

'Nitya Paul is a true powerhouse for empowering change in arts education. In a school environment where creativity can so often feel constrained, she has sustained and expanded the joy, ambition and relevance of art through her pioneering Creative Continuum and her national collaborations. She has built a culture where imagination thrives and where ‘impossible’ simply does not exist, nurturing young artists with exceptional care, rigour and belief in their potential.

Her influence extends far beyond the classroom. Through active engagement with awarding bodies, Ofsted, educators and arts partners, Nitya is helping to reshape conversations around GCSE Art and creative learning nationally. Her work combines innovation in pedagogy with a deep commitment to equity, ensuring that every young person has access to ambitious creative opportunities and meaningful industry connections. Generous in spirit and transformative in impact, she is not only changing outcomes for her own students but inspiring educators and influencing practice across the wider sector.'

Nitya receiving her award at The National Gallery, 20 June 2026 (Photography by Dan John Lloyd).