PUPILS at Darwen Vale High School have been rewarded for their efforts at a special awards night.

Professor Haifa Takruri, who was awarded an MBE for inspiring women and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people to take careers in science, engineering and technology, spoke to pupils from year’s seven, eight and nine at last night’s event.

She helped hand out prizes to lower school pupils for achievements in the last academic year.

They included the scientist of the year award, presented to Molly Walker in year seven, Emma Coulthurst in year eight, and Jake Fort in year nine.

Millie Hall of year seven took the design technology pupil of the year award, and also the junior poetry prize.

Learning support awards were given to a male and female pupil in all three years. In year seven, they were Lucas Graham and Courtney Broughton, in year eight, Steven Clark and Roxanne Harris won, and in year nine, it was given to Stephen Culshaw and Adina Browne.

Thomas Beresford took the year seven English Progress at Key Stage 3 award.

In year eight it was presented to Hannah Knowles, and to Lucy Grundy in year nine.

Individual subject prizes were also given.

Hannah Knowles, 13, guest speaker Professor Haifa Takhruri, Matthew Powell, 13, Headteacher Hilary Torpay, Liam Parkinson, 15, chair of Governors Don Heatlie-Jackson and Charlotte Hargreaves, 13