A man who critics have dubbed “one of the country’s most inspirational teachers” has helped design a new learning environment at a Battersea school.

Phil Beadle, star of Channel 4’s The Unteachables and Can’t Read Can’t Write, was joined by parents and pupils at John Paul II School (JPII) on Thursday for the official launch of the school’s learning hub.

Mr Beadle, who has been working with most of the school’s 15 and 16-year-old students this year, led a 15 minute “show lesson” to the gathered crowd, which included Professor David Woods CBE, chief adviser to London schools. It promoted the notion that learning and fun should be interlinked.

Headteacher Rob Cooper said: “The JPII Learning Hub is yet another example of state of the art facilities enabling effective learning and progress.

“Students find the space with it’s enormous white board, dimmed lights, bean bags and adjacent computer suite a wonderful environment to study.

“Phil is an outstanding teacher and the students feed off his enthusiasm.”