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Watch Jack Black surprise this teacher with an award

The moment Jack Black surprises teacher with an award

A teacher from a school in East Sussex got an extraordinary surprise all the way from Hollywood for being such a great teacher.

In a very special video, movie star Jack Black tells Ms Bartley she has won Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards.

She is head of performing arts at her school in Brighton and is currently rehearsing the musical School of Rock which is an adaptation of the film Jack Black was in back in 2003.

He described her as a "real rock and roll teacher" while the headteacher at her school said she has an "inspiring approach to teaching".

More on movie star Jack Black

Jodie Prenger stands to the right. She has long brown curled hair and is smiling at the camera. Jolie Bartley stands on the left. She has red hair with white face framing pieces. They are curled. She is wearing blue round glasses and holding a trophy, smiling at the camera.

West End star Jodie Prenger helped with the surprise with BBC's The One Show

Every year, Ms Bartley puts on a large-scale production involving more than 250 students.

There's singing, dancing, acting, music, stage management, lighting, sound and costumes - all of which are overseen by her.

Her headteacher said the students benefit from her "innovative and inclusive [teaching] methods," and has an "inspiring approach to teaching that ensures every student feels they belong."