The Plume Academy held its annual awards' evening for students from years 7 to 10 at the end of September.

The school, on Fambridge Road, said it was "delighted" to be able to host the evening on Thursday 23 September, after it had to postpone the event at the end of the summer term due to Covid.

80 award winners attended the ceremony, with two members from each of their families, alongside the school's pastoral and senior staff.

It was held in the school's largest setting and in a well-ventilated and socially-distanced manner.

Carl Wakefield, executive principal at the Plume Academy, said the evening was "magical" and had a "fantastic attendance".

He said: "Events of this magnitude simply do not happen without huge amounts of prior effort from a number of both teaching and support staff over a significant period of time.

"However, a special mention must go to two of our support staff, Mrs McKelvie and Mrs Redfearn, who were instrumental in making the night into the positively memorable occasion it was."

There were two musical performances during the evening and a drama rendition by students, as well as two guest speakers - Mrs Miriam Kleinman, wife of the late Leslie Kleinman BEM who survived the Holocaust, and Honey Lock from year 10.

Mr Wakefield said: "As I'm sure all who attended will agree, what a privilege it was to listen to our guest speakers - Mrs Miriam Kleinman and Honey Lock from year 10.

"Miriam spoke about her late husband, Mr Leslie Kleinman BEM, a dear friend of the academy for well over a decade, and our final awards were named in honour of the great man.

"Mrs Kleinman concluded her speech by reading out a beautiful poem she wrote herself.

"Honey spoke about disability and how she has not only had to overcome the many lifelong challenges her disabilities have brought, but also how throughout her life, people who she has met have assumed that because she has these, she has additional understanding and comprehension issues too.

"What incredibly inspirational people they both are and we are honoured to have them both as members of the Plume family."