Emma Jayawardene was named best teacher at a ceremony held at the Design Museum

An intelligent group of design students came third in a competition to create a �10 product to be sold in the Design Museum – and their teacher won her own top prize.

Emma Jayawardene’s class of year 10 graphics students from Queens Park Community School, in Aylestone Avenue, picked up their award at the Design Museum ceremony last Thursday for their trinket, Ear Bird.

Miss Jayawardene also bagged the best teacher award for her part in the project that had schools across London design a product to be sold in the Design Museum for �10 or less.

The talented teacher said: “I am extremely proud of them. They have worked enormously hard on the project. They gave up breaks and time after school, were very committed and represented the school to a very high standard.”

The brief, set by eminent designer Sebastian Conran, had to be environmentally friendly and target 15 to 25-year-olds.

Miss Jayawardene said: “They came third out of 28 London schools. So all in all they came third out of nearly 2000 students.

“At first they did look a little disappointed however that soon subsided especially as the realisation of what they had actually achieved sunk in.”

Speaking of her own award she said: “Now that I have had time to digest it I am extremely proud of this achievement as it not only reflects upon myself as a teacher but also the dedication the students put into the project.”