YOUNG scholars in Swindon have celebrated a year of personal and academic success by receiving prestigious awards for their efforts.

Last week, students on the Villiers Park Educational Trust Scholars Programme took part in an end of year celebration to be handed, among others, the Gold Standard Awards and the prestigious Mike Baker Scholar of the Year Awards.

An impressive total of 112 Scholars from Year 10 to Year 13 achieved the Gold Standard Award, while the Mike Baker Awards went to Sinead Foxworthy of the Commonweal School, Ellie Beale and Joe Inglis of St Joseph’s Catholic College and Misha Farhan of New College.

Sinead Foxworthy said: “I am honestly so proud with the fact that I have been honoured with this. I didn’t think I would win so it has made me feel so proud and my parents proud as well. It’s an amazing opportunity for me to achieve and I am so grateful to be awarded with this. I’m so thankful to the whole Villiers Park team for helping me so much.”

On average only 24 per cent of Swindon students progress to higher education. However, in 2016 88 per cent of Villiers Park Swindon Scholars gained a place at university.

St Joseph’s student Ellie Beale said: "The past few years on the Villiers Park programme have been enjoyable and equipped me with skills that I would not otherwise have. I did not expect to win the award, however I am very grateful and I hope the next couple of years on the programme are as good. Thank you."

The night saw a host of support from the Scholars’ schools, friends and families, as well as from the programme’s partner Trinity College Cambridge and a number of other supporters.

The Swindon Scholars Programme is part of Villiers Park Educational Trust’s national social mobility programme, tackling this issue which affects many less advantaged students in the Swindon area.

For more information, visit www.villierspark.org.uk, or email Development@villierspark.org.uk.