A private school could be named the best in the world and win a share of a $250,000 prize pot.

St Helen’s in Northwood is one of 50 schools nominated for the World’s Best School Prizes, launched by company T4 Education.

The girls' school could win the prize for innovation through its use of small tutorial groups in lessons.

St Helen’s has also been noted for its "attractive" termly academic challenges for all students - from musical composition competitions to philosophy essays - and also an outreach programme it runs that helps marginalised students with learning.

The 50 schools are split into five categories in shortlists of 10.

Totteridge Academy in Barnet, London Academy of Excellence in Newham, and Dunoon Grammar School in Scotland have also been nominated from the UK.

T4 Education founder Vikas Pota said: “I want to congratulate these schools for making the top 10 shortlists for the inaugural World’s Best School Prizes.

“Educators all over the world will now be able to learn from the examples of these outstanding UK schools.”