A total of 143 school pupils have been presented with Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards.

Bancroft’s School in High Road, Woodford Green, has successfully put through a group of 62 pupils to win the bronze award, 65 for the silver and 16 for the gold in the award scheme which sees pupils undertake volunteering, learn a new skill and a new physical activity.

The pupils will be presented with their awards at a special ceremony next year at St James’ Palace in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh or the Earl of Wessex.

Dominic Argyle, organiser of the award at the school, said: “Our silver awards, in particular, are worthy of note. 

“Seventy pupils started their silver award programme a year ago and of these an incredible 93 per cent completed all the sections.

“These young people have successfully combined the demands of the DofE with studying for their GCSEs. 

“In the process they will have gained many transferable skills which they will find invaluable both in their academic careers and their futures beyond school and university.”