A Midhirst School student has been awarded a Sir Peter Blake Young Leader Award.
Richard Drummond (12) was presented with the award at a special surprise school assembly, receiving a certificate, medal, a pair of lucky red socks and a Sir Peter Blake pin in front of the school as well as his parents and grandparents.
Richard's teacher Colleen Tett says teachers and peers nominate candidates for the award who demonstrate leadership qualities including integrity, determination, the will to succeed and knowing how to have fun. Colleen says Richard meets all the criteria.
"He is a natural-born leader, he strives hard in all aspects of life achieving fantastic academic goals, he participates in every aspect of school life offered to him and is a fantastic role model for the younger students of our school. Richard completes any and all tasks asked of him and volunteers for the hardest or dirtiest of jobs imaginable.
" He is friendly, thoughtful, honest, reliable and has a fantastic sense of humour. He has realistic dreams about his future and a work this to help him achieve them."
Richard's mother Marianne Drummond says she is proud of Richard.
"We were blown away really. He's a go-get-it kid but we weren't expecting this at all." She says the significance of getting the award sunk in a bit more after Richard was told only three such awards had ever been given out at his school. He will attend Stratford High School next year.