TRIBUTES were paid to a former headteacher at a Cradley Heath secondary school's annual prizegiving ceremony.

A dedication was held at the Ormiston Forge Academy prizegiving to the family of John Parker, who died earlier in 2019.

Mr Parker was headteacher for 27 years, at the predecessor school, Heathfield Technology College.

Former teacher Malcolm Kemble led the tributes during the prizegiving evening at Champions Church in Netherton.

The school has dedicated its Mountain Centre in Dinas Mawddwy, in the Dovey Valley in Wales, to Mr Parker's legacy.

Pupils visit the centre for outdoor pursuit courses and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

At the prizegiving evening the school's two new head girls Emily Baker and Jasneet Kaur delivered their inaugural speeches to a full house of 800 students, parents and guests.

The evening features a host of guests including chair of governors, Siddique Hussein presenting a number of subject, community and sporting awards to students.

There were performances throughout the evening, including a duet of Lewis Capaldi’s 'Someone You Loved', a solo guitar rendition of Led Zeppelin’s 'Whole Lotta Love.'

Over 200 students won prizes this year for their academic attainment, extracurricular achievements, and contributions to school spirit and the community.

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Students received a book voucher with their badge, in an effort to encourage reading and improve literacy skills within school.

This year also featured the All Move Awards, created through a partnership with The Meadows School in Oldbury.

The All Move Awards honours participation in the All Move Project, founded by the charity Mencap, to bring together young people with or without disabilities through sport and physical activity.

Dr Lisa Mason, Principal of Ormiston Forge Academy, said: “I want to send my congratulations to our fantastic students on their prizes.

"They continue to push the boundaries of what can be achieved.

"It is wonderful to see so many students excel and show ambition for their future.

"Our greatest goal is for students to demonstrate our school values of respect, aspiration and resilience, both in and outside of lessons, and prize giving is just one way of showing how we are succeeding in this endeavour.”