SUCCESSES achieved during the past academic year were highlighted when pupils, staff and governors at the Derby High School gathered for a special event before the summer break.

Headteacher Alyson Byrne outlined a number of significant events when she addressed guests during the lower school prizegiving, held at The Derby in Radcliffe Road. The event was attended by the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Michelle Wiseman.

Mrs Byrne said: “In the arts, we have danced with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, delighted the Ramsbottom Music Festival with our fabulous Crescendo Choir, given an epic performance at Rochdale Town Hall with our concert band and hired the Xtreme screen at The Rock cinema for our very own ‘Oscar’ ceremony.

“In science, we scooped an array of winners’ trophies at the Bolton School Physics Olympiad and made more than 50 visits to universities. In mathematics, we took part in the World Cup Maths Challenge and in English, we took our reading stars to Old Trafford and published the work of our young writers.”

Mrs Byrne added: “We’ve made sure our students are fit, healthy and can cook. Our boys have had success in athletics, cricket and basketball both individually and in teams. Girls’ sport is a growing strength with our girls competing in netball, football, athletics, rounders, dodgeball and cross country as well as fitness classes for Years 10 and 11.”

On the completion of The Derby’s £1.5 million sports hall she said: “It is superb. I am told, it is the best in Bury. We are thrilled to have such excellent facilities.”

She added: “Just about every week of the school year, our students have visited a university or a college of further education or a place of industry. No wonder that 98.4 per cent of last year’s leavers have entered further education or a job with training.”