AUTHOR Gervase Phinn has helped students from Prince Henry's Grammar School celebrate their achievements for the year.

Professor Phinn was the guest speaker at the Otley school's annual Celebration Evening, held at Leeds City Museum's Central Arena last week.

Pupils from across the years were recognised for their achievements in all areas at the event, which was attended by 500 students, parents and carers, staff and special guests.

The audience was also treated to performances from students Natalie O'Shea, Alice Wood and Holly Pennington, and the school’s award-winning brass ensemble No Strings Attached.

The prestigious Kerr Scholarship, awarded for Outstanding Performance at A Level, was awarded to Tom Reynard this year.

Tom achieved two A* and two A grades at A Level as well as an AS in Further Additional Maths, and is currently studying Mathematics at Cambridge University.

As well as for attainment and progress, the school presents awards for those excelling in areas which are central to its ethos.

Chloe Tear, who has cerebral palsy, won the Prince Henry’s Association Award for Service to Community and School.

A keen blogger who works with Scope, Chloe is an Assistant Head Girl and recently campaigned against disability hate crime - asking MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) to raise questions in the House of Commons.

Katie Broome, meanwhile, won the Alice MacGill Memorial Award for a student displaying thoughtfulness, helpfulness and compassion, for her work with younger pupils.

Headteacher at Prince Henry's Janet Sheriff, who opened the ceremony with a speech of congratulations, said: "GCSE examination results were outstanding this year and, at both A Level and GCSE, student attainment remains well

above the national averages. "This high level of success makes it increasingly difficult for staff and governors to select from the wide range of high calibre students.

"In addition to awards for attainment, there are the equally important awards for excellent progress, outstanding attitudes to learning, and service to the school community – areas highly valued in the inclusive ethos at Prince Henry’s.

"It is lovely to see our younger students here tonight sharing their success with our older ones at this fantastic event."

As speech, guest speaker Professor Phinn praised the teaching staff, leadership and governors at Prince Henry's, and the gathered students, for their achievements over the past 12 months.

Prof Phinn taught in a variety of schools for 14 years before becoming an education advisor and school inspector, and is now a best-selling author, freelance lecturer, broadcaster and consultant.