SUCCESSFUL students at a Malvern school were praised for their efforts at the annual prize-giving.

In a ceremony at Dyson Perrins CE HIgh School, guests listened to a speech from headteacher David Griffin, as well as musical entertainment, and were presented with prizes by the Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester.

Mr Griffin said the school had achieved its best A-level results ever last year, with a 98.5 per cent pass rate, and had seen a rise in the GCSE rate for the third year in a row, with up to 59 per cent of students achieving five A*-C grades.

He also reported comments by Ofsted inspectors in March, which had included praise for pupils' good behaviour, and students having a good working relationship with teachers.

"This doesn't happen by accident. Students work hard and we have able and committed teachers," Mr Griffin said. "Education is also about getting students out of the classroom. It is difficult to combat the climate of fear of being sued, and would be easier not to undertake visits, but we do. We also believe in stretching our more able students. We keep a register of gifted and talented youngsters affiliated to National Association for Gifted and Talented Youngsters (NAGTY).

Mr Griffin praised students for their achievements, commending Lloyd Merrick, who gained one of the top five Business Studies results at GCSE in the country, and year 7 student Lily Miller, who is taking part in the Hereford pantomime.

The school's Isobel Massey, who swims for Ledbury, was praised for winning medals in France, while fellow year 7 pupil Jason Relf, a junior archer, has broken 11 county records and has ambitions to be in the 2020 Olympics.

Cornet player Charlotte Ellis was selected to record the new Blue Peter theme, the school's sixth form charity committee was awarded the Princess Diana Memorial Award, and Dan Robertson won the Midlands regional area of the Lions International Peace Poster competition, to take him through for the national award.