EXCELLENT students were praised as a Bridport school held its annual Senior prize-giving evening. 

Awards were presented to students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 from the Sir John Colfox Academy for academic excellence, outstanding effort and for contributions to the school community. 

Before the awards, Headteacher David Herbert reflected on another excellent year for the school. He congratulated A-Level students for achieving the highest ever results in the school’s history and welcomed guest novelist and documentary maker Damien Lewis.

Mr Lewis inspired pupils and staff alike with an inspirational talk about his career which has included covering the impact of war and conflict around the world and has seen him write over fifteen books and produce more than twenty films. 

All the young prize-winners were impressed by Mr Lewis’ ‘can do’ attitude and how he used a moment of adversity to be a real catalyst for change in his professional life. 

Sponsors from local businesses were on hand to present awards alongside Mr Lewis, Bridport Mayor, Councillor Anne Ricard and the Vice Chair of Governors, Hilary Cunningham. 

The top performers in each subject were recognised and there were special awards for the highest overall attainment by a boy and girl at GCSE (Dahlia Twigger and Brian Robertshaw), and the highest attainment at A Level by a boy and girl (Theo Everley and Alana Pollock). 

At GCSE level, Dahlia achieved eight A* and three new grades 9’s, a feat that was only achieved by a very small number of students in the country. 

At A Level Theo was commended for taking on the extraordinary and completing seven full A levels, achieving grade A in five of them. 
Mr Herbert said: “I have never seen the like of this before, and may never again, it was a truly incredible performance from a remarkable young man. 

“The fact that Theo has chosen to study for a physics degree in the medium of French at Strasbourg University speaks volumes about his qualities.”

The award for most progress made in Year 11 went to Llewellyn Davies, and in the sixth form, Joseph Scott. 

There were also special awards made to the students who have made the biggest contributions to the school and wider community through their leadership and commitment. 

Esther Stone won this accolade for Year 10 and in Year 11 Ella Kershaw was recognised while Ellie Taylor took home the prize for sixth form. 

The prize for best vocational student was won by Eli Norman who has excelled in his sixth form partnership course with Yeovil College and the College Vice Principal Steve Battersby was on hand to present the award. 

There were new awards for the Edge Graduates of the Year. These prizes were presented by the Regional PIXL Edge lead, Andy David, and were won by Jade Farrington and Ben Farrell of Year 11.