"SUPERSTAR" pupils were invited to celebrate their achievements at The Chase's annual speech day last Friday.

A year of musical and sporting prowess, hard work and perseverance was celebrated by headteacher David Fawbert, whose catchphrase for the day was "You have to keep pinching yourself".

By the end of his speech it was clear why he picked that particular phrase. The year began with a very good Ofsted report and continued along a successful vein with higher than average exam results and national and international achievements.

Talking about this year's exam results, Mr Fawbert highlighted the achievement of sixth-former Evan Spence, who got five A grades at A'level.

"He turned the tables on Oxford by refusing the place he had been offered. The courses were to boring for his liking!" said Mr Fawbert. Seven other students did take up Oxbridge places in maths, English, natural sciences, theology and languages.

Mr Fawbert also mentioned the school's sporting "heroes", such as Ceris Gilfillan, The Chase's first Olympian, and Liam Killeen, the World Cup cross-country cyclist.

The only negative note was on the subject of bullying. Mr Fawbert said there were now more people bullying schools from outside than there are youngsters bullying each other.

"It risks becoming major source of stress to even the most effective managers," he said.