DOWDALES School held its annual prizegiving ceremony with 190 prizes awarded to hardworking, dedicated students from all year groups.

Headteacher Emma Aubrey hosted the event together with head boy Ewan MacMillan, head girl Thea Docker and their deputies.

During the evening students at the Dalton secondary school were commended on their commitment and achievement in their studies.

The top award winners from each year group were named as the Lancaster University Student of the Year and this year’s winners were Violet Martin, Daniel Knott, Simon Chadd, Ewan MacMillan and Alys Deakin.

Former Year 11 student Alys Deakin, who was the school’s top performer in last year’s GCSE examinations, won five awards including The Headteacher’s award, The JT Franks Cup for All Round Excellence and The School Prize for Physics.

Current Year Eight student Lucas Seal was awarded the new Georgia Stanway Award for Outstanding Leadership in PE.

Current Year 11 student and head boy Ewan MacMillan won four awards including the Sarah McClay Trophy for Sustainability and former Year 11 student Jack Armistead was awarded The Liz Moffatt Trophy, Learning to Fly.

This year’s guest speaker was Andrew Wren, principal of Furness College and Barrow Sixth Form.

Headteacher Emma Aubrey said: “Thank you to all of you who joined our prizegiving including special guests, parents, carers and students, it was a real community event and I loved every minute.

“It was wonderful to see our ex-Year 11 students collect their GCSE certificates with pride.

“Well done to our current students in Years’ 8 to 11 on the prizes and awards you achieved.

“Thank you especially to Andrew Wren, we were so pleased that you agreed to join us for the evening.

“We are all proud to be Dowdales.”

The night also featured performances from the cast of upcoming school show Aladdin and the Dowdales Shakespeare Company.