PUPILS from Downend School and Mangotsfield School were among those whose “extraordinary achievements” were celebrated at an awards ceremony.
The awards were staged by Castle School Education Trust, which runs both schools along with seven other secondaries and primaries in South Gloucestershire.
The ceremony at the University of the West of England, held at the end of the summer term, saw awards made to reflect a wide range of achievements in areas from sports and teamwork to community service and kindness.
Downend School pupil Jake McKnight was recognised for the weekly work that he does in a homeless shelter.
Leo Smith, who left Downend in the summer after sitting his A-levels, won the award for outstanding personal achievement for overcoming a “host of challenges” throughout his education.
Mangotsfield School pupil Emily King won the creativity award in recognition of her achievements in the arts.
As well as taking part in the recent school production of Matilda, the trust said she was recognised for her “encouragement and inspiration of others”.
CSET deputy director Clare Bradford said: “The event was a source of enormous pride for all involved.
“Young people can sometimes be given a bad press, but we are inspired by them, and the commitment they show to making their communities and the world a better place.
“It is so important to recognise the good they do.”