THE head of St Bede's RC High School paid tribute to staff and students at his last prize evening.

John Challoner will retire from the Blackburn school at the end of the year, and at last night's event, he spoke of his pride in what the school had achieved, particularly in the last academic year.

As well as a glowing Ofsted report in March, the Livesey Branch Road school was recently re-designated as a specialist sports college for another three years.

Last year's year 11 pupils set a school record with their GCSE results, with a pass rate of 76per cent A* to C, 10 points above target and 15 over the national average.

Mr Challoner said the impressive set of results was likely to put St Bede's in the top 25per cent of schools nationally.

He paid tribute to the continuing hard work of pupils and staff behind the results, and refuted the now familiar claims that exams are getting easier, which he said undermines pupils' achievement.

He added: ""I have been lucky to have had the support of excellent teachers, parents and in the main very enthusiastic and well motivated pupils."

>> PRIZEWINNERS

Religious Education: Gemma Coar
English Language: Sarah Cooper
English Literature: Christopher Burt
Mathematics: Daniel Wright
Science: Christopher Burt
Art: Francesca Tudda
Drama: Matthew Worden
Geography: Sarah Cooper
History: Joshua Sweeney
Modern Languages, French: Simeon Adeoye
Spanish: Anna Jackson
Musician of the Year: Christopher Burt
Dance: Charlotte Flannery
Design: Daniel Kelly
The Paulus Technology Award: Carl Slater
Information Technology Award: Gina Chamberlain
Food Technology Award: Emily Lucas
SPECIAL AWARDS
Governors Prize to Head Boy: Christopher Burt
Catenian Prize to Head Girl: Rebecca McCann
Victor Ludorum: Jamie Jordan & Ryan Kenyon
Victrix Ludorum: Emily Lucas
Moran Trophy (Kindness and Consideration): Rebecca McGarrie
Lawrenson Trophy (Personality of the Year): Josh Sweeney
Sharples Trophy (Overcoming Adversity): Rebecca France
The Chris Bradshaw Award for endeavour and perseverance in PE: Joseph Hartshorn
The Ted Cooper Sports Personality of the Year: Katie Brown
The Leech Special Trophy for Endeavour: Adam Beetson
Knights of St. Columba Trophy for Improvement: William and James Cuff Catherine Warland Award for Politeness & Good Manners: Melissa Bolton Hatton Award for Attainment: Christopher Burt, Nigel Turner Memorial Trophy for Service: Deputy Head Boys: Glen Challenger and Thomas McGowan Deputy Head Girls: Clare Edwards and Maria James Dean Ryland's Award: Christopher Burt School Award for Gifted and Talented (High Achievers): Daniel Wright Duke of Edinburgh Award: Nicole Henry Contribution to the Catholic Life in school: Chloe Hoctor