PUPILS from Hardenhuish School, in Chippenham, were praised for outstanding effort and achievement in an awards evening held on Tuesday.

The special ceremony was held in the school's newly erected Peter Thompson Hall and more than 150 students aged between 11 and 14 received book tokens, book plates and certificates from the school governors and the Mayor of Chippenham, Desna Allen.

A group of year nine pupils delighted the audience by providing musical entertainment in an interlude part way through the proceedings.

Several pupils did particularly well, having received nominations by teachers for awards in a number of subjects across the curriculum and gaining Special Awards.

The youngest to receive these awards were year seven pupils Lauren Green, Hannah Jones, Thomas Norman, Jennifer Reeves, Philip Sandwell, Kelly Stewart and George Viner.

Year eight and nine recipients were Omar Ali Javed, Angharad Le Duc, Chloe Myers, Stephen Wood, Christopher Young, Matthew Elson, Timothy Jones, Mark Smith and Sarah Williams.

Colin Smith, headmaster of Hardenhuish, said: "These young pupils are taking advantage of the opportunities placed before them and their awards and nominations reflect their enthusiasm for learning and determination to succeed."

This year was the first time that an evening of this kind had been held solely for the younger pupils of the school and judging by its success, the ceremony is likely to become an annual event.

Mr Smith said: "This new event is one of the recommendations of our Behaviour Review which was undertaken throughout this last school year.

"I hope that it shows our commitment to recognising and rewarding all achievement and success in every aspect of school life."