LAST week I was invited to the presentation ceremony at one of the county's new beacon schools.

Hundreds of pupils at Pershore High School were recognised for their academic achievements and other activities within school.

Naturally I jumped at the chance of meeting staff, pupils and parents.

The evening brought home to me what teaching is really about - the pupils and improving their outlook on life.

Of all the pupils who took to the stage, there were some who were being recognised for their sporting achievements, work in the community, effort in schoolwork as well as overall excellence.

No one stood out as being more deserving than the rest. They had all attained something to be proud of.

There were Year 11 pupils recognised for their work as Peer Counsellors, an award made to the Year Nine student who has made the most progress in French and German, and a prize for the pupil who had made an outstanding contribution to school music.

Pupils were awarded for making a contribution to science, for attending a camp for bereaved children and for working with the St John Ambulance.

A lot of worthy awards, I'm sure you will agree.

The programme - very professional - was full of students' names and details of activities that had gone on in and out of school.

Whether Pershore High recognises pupils more than any other educational establishment I'm not sure, but they are proud of what they have achieved and strive to continually improve pupils' outlook on life.

Deputy head Clive Corbett made no bones about the amount of awards when he started the evening, claiming that it wasn't a US-style graduation.

The American way has been hot on the lips of teachers across the county after the Government announced it was planning a new award to boost teenagers' esteem.

The aim is to help encourage youngsters stay on at school after GCSEs with the inclusion of more vocational work.

Education Secretary Estelle Morris said the award could also recognise work done outside the classroom, such as voluntary work.

"Currently there isn't enough recognition of the vocational qualifications that young people are taking," said Ms Morris.

"The fact is a lot of youngsters aren't valued for non-academic work, which they find stimulating and valuable. Too many young people are turned off education because of the low esteem attached to non-academic routes."

She said she hoped the new award would improve motivation and keep them in learning for longer. She hoped it would also lead to increased participation in education or training after the age of 16.

Critics of the planned scheme say that it will add to the burdens on already over-stretched staff.

There is, of course, the fear that Britain is trying to become too much like the Americans. Students already pay for university tuition fees. If we added a graduation-style ceremony for school leavers where will it all end?

Americans like to give awards for everything - there is a line to draw and perhaps this should be it.

Pershore High School doesn't give awards for awards' sake. Pupils have to earn them, and it gives them the hunger to want to achieve.

It's a very different type of award from those at Westlands First School in Droitwich.

Youngsters were encouraged to be punctual with the promise of vouchers for a fast-food restaurant.

The school launched the pioneering scheme in May as a way of teaching children about punctuality and attendance.

After two weeks those who had a 100 per cent record were rewarded with McDonald's vouchers.

The project may have taught the children a little about punctuality, but has it taught the right lesson about rewards.

When I was at primary school we were given gold stars and they were counted as house points rather than individuals.

At high school we were given merits and the end result was a certificate if you reached a set number. There were also prizes for achievement, effort and progress, but nothing on the scale of Pershore High School.

"It's great to celebrate excellence and achievement, and to be proud," said Olympian Andy Train, a teacher at nearby Pinvin Middle School.

The canoeist presented gold and platinum award winners with their certificates on Thursday night.

The awards scheme at the school includes 12 categories in which achievements may be recognised. These include attendance, sport, music, schoolwork, community service and other activities.

To achieve a gold award pupils must achieve 15 times in at least six categories. Platinum goes to students who have significantly exceeded the gold requirements.

"There's no doubt there's the potential to achieve much more," said Rob Phillips, chairman of governors, speaking at the awards.

"This evening is about standards at Pershore High School, and there are considerable talents."

It's not just the pupils though who are proud of their achievements, but parents and even teachers.

"I can't believe how proud I am," said Year Eight tutor James Harrington. Myself and another teacher were arguing over who had the most pupils winning awards!

"They're all fantastic pupils, some are going to go far.

"If I'm this proud, how proud are their parents?"