Awards for a range of achievements were handed out including 100 percent attendance, attitude to learning, consistent effort and continued improvement in a range of subjects.

Musical talents, success and effort in PE, excellence in computing and progress in Science were all recognised.

The Terry Murphy award for the student who made the most progress in KS3 went to Grant Fenton and Thomas Whyatt won the Patrick Ward Shield.

Student Council members were recognised for their contribution to school life along with the Justice and Peace group. School colours were also handed out to students along with bronze, silver, gold and platinum badges.

Mrs Jinks, who was assistant head teacher and head of department, presented several awards and spoke to the audience.

She said: “The award winners, parents and teachers should be very proud of their achievements.

“Every single one of you has something that you are good at, whatever that is. You could be a good writer, artistic, in innovator or an inventor. Whatever it is that you want to be you are going to need an education to do that. You have to work for it and reach for the stars.”

Joan McCarthy, head teacher at Saint John Houghton CVA, in Kirk Hallam, thanked everyone for attending.

She said: “It’s wonderful to have you all here and this is the largest number of people we have had at a celebration of achievement event.

“Our young people deserve credit for their successes. I would also like to acknowledge parents for their support and our staff who work so hard to give the children the highest quality education here and they really do go above and beyond. I couldn’t work with more hardworking and dedicated staff.”