Students awarded for mentoring their classmates have given their school library a £500 boost.

Rabia Shaikh and Badriyah Islam of Eden Girls’ School in Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow were recently announced as winners in the latest round of the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards.

The girls were each awarded £250 to be spent in their school and as both are bookworms and library prefects, they agreed to use the cash to buy more books.

The Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of young people, while investing funds in their schools, colleges and youth organisations.

Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest gave pupils the opportunity to nominate their peers who they felt were worthy of an award. A student vote took place in the summer 2017 term.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Rabia, who is in Year 8, was nominated for the award by students who praised her for helping them in lessons.

Rabia said: “I feel really proud to have been chosen to receive the Achievement Award.

“I was shocked and surprised to have won it - I definitely was not expecting it at all.”

Year 11 student and Head Girl Badriyah was nominated by her fellow classmates for giving up her time to mentor students from all year groups and acting as an ambassador for the school at events.

Hannah Malik, Assistant Principal said: “Our school is very proud of Badriyah and Rabia and we congratulate them on their awards.

“They are very valued members of our school community and do an excellent job of embodying our STAR values of Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect.”