Packed hall as hard work is recognised

Youngsters dressed in graduation gowns and wearing mortar boards proudly accepted their school awards.

Smarden Primary School’s annual ceremony saw the village’s Charter Hall packed as teachers, parents and villagers watched the prize winners collect their cups last Friday.

Nominations were made for achievements in subjects such as art or history, or for individual endeavour and teachers put children forward, while there was also an award issued by pupils themselves.

Smarden’s head of school Melanie Smith said: “There was a real community feel. Everyone enjoyed themselves.”

She added: “It was very difficult to choose children for awards as Smarden Primary has such wonderful pupils and they are all a credit to the village.”

Awards given out included one for all round achievement given to Tilly Doorey in Year 5, who received a cup sponsored by John Atkins CBE, chairman of the Kemnal Academies Trust, to which Smarden belongs.

A drama cup went to Ava Applebee in Year 3 and was sponsored by the Smarden Players, while a craft cup was presented to Annabel Brogan in Year 1, courtesy of the Smarden Women’s Institute.

The awards were attended by more than 200 people and Sarah Caulfield, the school’s office manager, worked with teachers to pull together the whole event.

Picture: Gary Browne FM4397277 Smarden Primary School’s annual awards ceremony

Children at Kennington Academy have received a new gardening area courtesy of local garden centre Bybrook Barn

Shipper with principal Richard Billings, pupils and, far right, history teacher Zoe Baker, who conjunction with the Holocaust Educational Trust