Published: Monday 3 July 2023
Inna Hryhorovych, the dedicated headteacher of St Mary's Ukrainian School, has been recognised for her exceptional services to education and the Ukrainian community. Her work has earned her the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) as part of The King's birthday honours list.
St Mary's Ukrainian School, located in Kensington and Chelsea’s Holland Park, has been a beacon of hope for Ukrainian families who have sought refuge in the UK from the ongoing war in their homeland. The school has seen the number of enrolled pupils increase from 226 to 934 since the war began, with a mission to provide quality education and a nurturing environment to children across London who have fled the conflict.
On how she felt about receiving her MBE, Inna said: “When I first opened the letter, my heart squeezed at that moment, and I cried. What we’ve achieved as a team is incredible, and this recognition is really for all of us.”
St Mary’s staff is made up of 137 people, 87 per cent of which have themselves been displaced from Ukraine during the war.
Inna’s efforts have transformed St Mary's Ukrainian School into a safe haven, not just for education but also as a support system for young displaced families. Many of the children attending St Mary’s have experienced the traumatic effects of war, and the school has become a sanctuary where they can heal, learn, and thrive.
“My parents were here when the MBE letter arrived and they were really proud – but not all the children here today have the luxury of having parents around them, and we build them for the future. That’s the biggest reward I could wish for.”
Despite the joy and celebration of receiving her MBE, Inna reflected on the biggest challenge facing Ukrainian families in the UK – the ongoing need for accommodation:
“We’re so grateful to the kindness of British people who have hosted Ukrainians. If we could ask for British families for one more push with housing, opening their doors to Ukrainians, we do hope this war should have its end. We do hope it should be soon.”
As the war in Ukraine continues, more and more families are seeking safety and stability abroad. Despite the obstacles, Inna and her team at St Mary's Ukrainian School remain committed to providing assistance and support to these families, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and a sense of belonging.
Inna shared how it wouldn’t be possible to provide this level of care without the support of the Local Authority: “Less than two weeks after the war broke out, I was in high level meetings with heads and directors from the Council who made all of this possible. They gave us the support and information needed to grow our offer here at the school to support the ever-increasing number of children arriving here. Without Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster Councils, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
A colleague of Inna’s, Orysya Novetska, shared more about Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster Councils have supported the school:
“Having a vision and a strategy is one thing, but having all the professionals from the Council on board, leading us and training us on all the different policies and procedures, it’s been an absolute rock to us.”
Inna’s efforts, combined with the remarkable growth of St Mary's Ukrainian School, highlight the urgent need for continued support and accommodation for Ukrainian guests. As the war continues, homes are still needed to support Ukrainians in the UK.
If you want to find out more about how you can support Ukrainians in the UK, visit the Council’s Homes for Ukraine web page.