A KENDAL school has held a 'Covid-compliant' prizegiving afternoon, having not been able to arrange its usual ceremony at the leisure centre.

The event's guest of honour was England rugby international and former student Mark Wilson, who addressed the school's current pupils with a video message.

Despite the disruptions brought on during the summer term by the pandemic, the school's head reports Kirkbie Kendal having witnessed a 'prolific year of success'.

Phil Hyman praised students for being 'well-rounded, caring, courteous, considerate young people as well as for their outstanding 2020 examination results'.

He also noted the completion of phase one of the school's £1,400,000 refurbishment project, as well as paying tribute to the outstanding work contribution made to the school by Mr John Gee, the school's erstwhile business manager, who retired in the summer after 16 years of service.

Mr Hyman said this week: “It has been the most unusual year due to the impact on us all of the Covid 19 virus.

"For all year groups a third of the academic year had remote learning as the mainstay of our provision. Students did not sit their exams formally but no one should underestimate how hard year 11 and 13 students had worked throughout their school careers to achieve their excellent exam results.

"The debacle over the awarding of the grades must not be allowed to detract from the hard work that went into achieving grades awarded with rigour by the school.

"Our students have consistently demonstrated their considerate and caring attitudes and have worked on projects for Children in Need, Young Minds, Papyrus, mufti days, and together contributed over 90 shoeboxes being sent to the boxes of hope appeal. They have volunteered in schools and care homes.

"The Examination Results this year were brilliant. Year 13 achieved excellent GCE A level results - 75% of all grades were awarded A*-B and 93% percent of all grades were awarded at A*-C.

"The average grade per entry was a B+. At GCSE we achieved excellent results. 48% achieved a new 5+ strong good grade in both English and Mathematics which would have placed us in the top 20% nationally on that measure for the third consecutive year.

"For the fifth year in a row every student achieved 5 GCSE passes extending the school record. At the highest level of attainment 32 students achieved five or more subjects at grades 7 and above.”