Hundreds of students were recognised for their achievements inside and outside the classroom at a school’s annual award presentation evening.

Pupils, teachers and parents from Buxton School in Leytonstone gathered at Walthamstow Assembly Hall on Thursday, March 15 to celebrate the work of youngsters at the school over the past year.

Around 200 students from Year 5 through to Year 11 were honoured for academic achievements and for their positive approach to learning, while dozens also received Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Year 11 student Nitharshy Sivalingam, 16, from Leytonstone, took home the coveted Head Teacher’s Award for her academic achievements.

Nitharshy had her confidence boosted when she was given the role of deputy head girl last term and now aspires to one day study medicine at Imperial College London

“Becoming deputy head girl was a big thing for me,” she said: “My confidence grew so much and I joined a lot of clubs, but to win this award is even bigger, I am just speechless about it.

“I represent the school more than I actually thought I ever would, I am really proud of being part of the school.”

Meanwhile, Lydia Khechine and Dilan Herath were joint-recipients of the Louis Rose Award, which recognises students who have attained at the school in the face of adversity.

Lydia was unable to speak English when she started at Buxton in Year 7 after moving to London from Algeria, but went on to achieve 5 A*s, 5 As and 2 Bs in her GCSEs last year.

“I found Buxton to be quite an inclusive community,” she said: “It was quite diverse and it is a place where if you put in the effort, there are teachers who will help you.

“It feels great, throughout my journey at Buxton I really put everything into it, for them to recognise that is quite cool.”

Prizes were handed out by special guest Cllr Sally Littlejohn, who represents Cann Hall Ward in Leytonstone at Waltham Forest Council.

Buxton School executive head teacher, Kath Wheeler, said: “It is so important to reward pupils for their outstanding achievements and to recognise them publically.

“It builds their self-esteem and to have a lovely evening like this at a beautiful venue also allows their classmates and parents to join in with their celebrations.

“All those who have received awards need to carry on the way they are working at the moment, but their achievements are something both Buxton School and their parents can be rightfully proud of.”