Five pupils were presented with a prestigious award in recognition of hard work and achievements.

James Williams, 15, Lily Morris, 12, Kimberley Haylock, 17, Tobert Erskine, 15, and Meg Vaughan, 15, all pupils at The Plume in Maldon, received medallions during the annual Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards ceremony.

Heather Jenner, a maths teacher at the school, received a leader award for demonstrating an ability to motivate young people.

Other Plume winners of the award, who could not make the ceremony which was held at the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford, were Alex Dack, Kimberley Russell, Alex Cole, and Samantha Shead.