Hounslow's Lampton School, where three quarters of new pupils speak English as a second language, has won praise for overcoming the odds to excel.
The Lampton Avenue school was highlighted by Ofsted inspectors for achieving outstanding results despite having a large number of students from deprived backgrounds.
It is one of 12 secondary schools from across the country to feature in a national report this week entitled 'Excelling Against the Odds'.
A quarter of children at the school have special needs, while 22 per cent are entitled to free school meals, but that hasn't stopped it achieving an 'outstanding' rating in its last two Ofsted reports.
Head teacher Sue John said the secret to its success was celebrating its diversity and raising the expectations of both children and teachers.
"We try to look for people's passions because if you can harness what really motivates people that makes them feel satisfied and achieve more," she added.
Key to the school's continuing improvement has been working closely with Somalian refugees, who account for nearly a tenth of pupils at Lampton, but who often underachieve at other schools.
Teachers run an after-school club where children from the war-torn African country can catch up on science and maths as well as getting extra help with their English.
Halima Hassan, of Hartland Road, Isleworth, said the additional support had made a huge difference and boosted her confidence since she arrived at the school five years ago.
"At first I thought why is this only for Somalians, but when you realise the stereotypical judgements people make about us it becomes important to break down that prejudice," said the 15-year-old (pictured).
Halima left Somalia as a tot and spent a decade in Sweden before coming to England.
"I know if I don't understand anything in class there are teachers around who can explain it to me later. I don't think I could have achieved what I have without their support," she said.
Her Majesty's chief inspector, Christine Gilbert, praised Lampton for overcoming 'considerable' challenges to provide children with an 'excellent education'.
"These schools show that excellence doesn't happen by chance," she added. "It is due to the vision and conviction of their leaders and the inspired, effective teams they have built."
