Jamaican born Devon Hanson at the age of ten came to live and grow up in Peckham. He overcame many challenges and obstacles of this disadvantaged and tough London neighbourhood. However, unlike many of his young Black peers, Devon Hanson managed to win against the odds and has risen to the pinnacle of his teaching profession, to become one of the few Black men to reach secondary school headship in the country. Mr. Hanson was the principal of Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton between 2012 to 2017, which he transformed from unsatisfactory to good within the first 18 months. Previously, under his first headship, Walworth academy was transformed beyond recognition in four years; exclusions and school violence went down, teacher and student respect and academic grades went up, making the school the most improved in England at the time. For over 28 years, Devon has been a senior teacher and pastoral leader of thousands of young people in South London schools, often seen outside the school within the community, looking out for his students. The impact of his school leadership have earned national and international recognition from the former Prime minister, Secretary of State for Education and Head of Ofsted, as well as other visitors such as the Mayor of New York, exchange between Evelyn Grace Academy and Xinghua City Zhaoyang Lake Junior Middle School, and the Zimbabwe’s Education Minister.Most importantly, Devon Hanson’s students and colleagues speak glowingly of him; he has coached and mentored his teachers towards headship of other schools and his students towards Oxford and Russell group universities. He is quick to go out and find the right kind of support and outlets in the community to help them succeed. The energy and determination with which Mr Hanson drives change to secure the success of young people is contagious and inspirational. Mr Hanson has hosted various directors of education all over the world from South Africa, America, India, Spain and Holland.