Year 11 prefect Laura Simpson, who achieved exemplary grades, helped raise thousands of pounds for charity and represented her school and county in athletics, all while overcoming personal tragedy and illness, has been presented with the Joelene Kimbley Award for Courage in Adversity by guest speaker and Shadowmancer author GP Taylor at Nunthorpe's annual awards.

Despite losing her father to cancer last year and enduring a chronic and painful illness herself, Laura, 16, was an active part of the school community, helping to raise more than £4,000 for children's hospice Zoe's Place, and conducting acts of kindness to make other students' days a little brighter.

As well as being an intrinsic part of the school community, Laura supported other students through their own difficulties, leading her tutor Ben Shaller, to describe her as "one of the most inspirational people I have ever met".

Also honoured at the evening, held at Middlesbrough Town Hall was Evie Whitfield, 16, for her community spirit. Evie won the Citizenship Award after raising £750 for the Children's Heart Unit Fund at Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. Evie was inspired by the plight of three-year-old Evie Clasper, who suffers from hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had to undergo no less than 13 operations in the first six months of her life.

Outstanding Sporting Achievement was given to Danielle Dunn, [INSERT AGE], who achieved eight gold, four silver and two bronze medals in Karate, representing Great Britain at the European Championships in Malta and Hungary.

Entrepreneurial Year Ten students Max James and Oliver Ripley, both 15, were awarded the Vantis Trophy for Enterprise, after raising £1,800 for charities Clic Sergeant and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Debbie Clinton, Principal of Nunthorpe Academy, said: "The awards are an important recognition of students who have excelled and surpassed themselves in academic, pastoral, community and sporting areas during their time at Nunthorpe.

"It is wonderful to see these young people, who are shining examples of everything we hope our students will become, honoured for their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence for the past five years. All are extremely worthy winners and we are extremely proud of them. For those who are leaving us in July, I wish them the very best of luck with their future work and studies."

Entertainment at the event was provided by a variety of Nunthorpe Academy's musicians and singers, culminating in students and teachers joining together to bring the house down with a rousing finale of One Day More, from Les Miserables.

Special Awards winners comprised:

Endeavour House Award - Nicholas Parkes; Invincible House Team - Charlotte Smith; Triumph House Team - Callum Widdowson; Valiant House Team - Amelia Shearer; Victory House Team - Jack Norman; Courage in Adversity - Laura Simpson; Citizenship Award - Evie Whitfield; Service to the Academy - Rebecca Henderson; Year 11 Improver - Leia Phillips; Outstanding Extra Curricular Music Award - Daniel Daley; Outstanding Extra Curricular Drama Award- Millie Smith; Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award - Danielle Dunn; Enterprise Award - Max James and Oliver Riley; Attendance Prize - Rochell Naylor-Iyayi; Outstanding Team Award - Year Ten Football Team; County Cup winners - Nathan Aldridge, Matthew Bartliff, Cameron Currie, Ryan Gibb, Dylan Gilhespie, Adam Goodridge, Joshua Holden, Oscar Hugill, Jordan Jewson, Matthew Lagan, Tommy Leech, Alexander McFarlane, Aaron McGinley, Daniel Rayner, Charlie Rennie, Andrew Ryan, Ross Taylor-Watson, Abdul Wahhab, Danny Wilson.

"A rigorous, stimulating and stretching examination framework is essential to furnish young people with the skills set necessary to pursue a satisfying career, or the knowledge to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the nation's economic development and prosperity.

"The changes announced by Michael Gove will see GCSEs becoming more challenging and meaningful and help us close the gap that has opened up between us and our international education rivals.

"The reforms are both timely and sensible given that the first teaching of the planned new specifications will be in September 2015; sufficient time for good teachers to plan stimulating and challenging classroom experiences.

"Nunthorpe both welcomes the reforms and is excited by the challenge."

The Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has visited Nunthorpe Academy, which is the best performing school in the Redcar and Cleveland Borough.

Mr Gove's tour of the Tees Valley educational facility included him witnessing Maths and English lessons in action.

Nunthorpe Academy was revealed as the best performing secondary school in the Redcar and Cleveland borough in the most recent School League Tables.

The percentage of students achieving more than five A*-C GCSEs including English and Maths (or equivalent) in 2012 was 76 percent. This is above the national average of 59.4 percent and the Redcar and Cleveland local authority area average of 55 percent. Nunthorpe's performance was up from 71 percent in 2011.

Mr Gove said: "I wish every school was like Nunthorpe Academy. It's amazing.

"The students here are bright, articulate, intelligent young people, who are a credit to their community.

"And the leadership team are doing a fantastic job because they are concentrating on teaching.

"I had the opportunity to see two fantastic teachers, doing a brilliant job today with young people, who are a credit to the profession.

"I am just overjoyed a comprehensive in Middlesbrough is setting the standard for state schools across the country."

Debbie Clinton, Nunthorpe Academy Principal, said: "We are very proud that we have been given the opportunity to highlight Nunthorpe's educational achievements, ambitions and vision to the Education Minister.

"The ethos at Nunthorpe encompasses nurturing academic ability, personal development and real skills for life and it is thanks to the commitment and dedication embraced by our students, staff, and directors that we are the best performing school in the area."

In January Nunthorpe officially launched its conversion to Academy status. It has chosen to convert because of the flexibility and freedoms, particularly in respect of the curriculum and budgets, this new status will afford it.

Academy status also will add to Nunthorpe's ability to increase standards and academic success even further.

Nunthorpe has developed a reputation for being independently minded and forward-thinking. It was the first school in England to secure dual specialist school status in science and business enterprise; was among the first regionally to secure its own budget management; and the first in the Redcar and Cleveland local authority area to secure 11-18 status.

The route to acquiring Academy status involved a twelve-month consultation period which included students, staff, parents and the wider community including a series of public meetings addressed by the Governing body.

Nunthorpe became an Academy on October 1 2012 after confirmation of its status was received from Mr Gove.

The percentage of students achieving more than five A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) in 2012 was 76 percent. This is above the national average of 59.4 percent and the Redcar and Cleveland local authority area average of 55 percent.

Nunthorpe's performance is up from 71 percent in 2011.

Debbie Clinton, Nunthorpe Academy Principal, said, "This achievement demonstrates the sense of purpose, dedication and commitment of our students, staff, directors and stakeholders.

"It reflects how our students' parents and guardians support their children and how they also actively embrace the ethos of Nunthorpe, which combines nurturing academic ability, personal development and real skills for life..

"Our recent conversion to Academy status will enhance our ability to further improve on our currently very high academic performance."

Forty two residents from three of the area's residential homes, Nunthorpe Oaks, Kirkley Lodge and West Moor View, were invited to enjoy the afternoon of festive fun.

The party included Christmas lunch and entertainment provided by the music and drama departments of the Academy.

A Christmas sing-a-long helped get staff, students and guests in to the festive spirit, before finishing off the celebrations with a game of bingo.

The party was organised and funded by 16 students, who spent 12 weeks of their enrichment programme putting together the event. The students, who were supported by Humanities teacher, Catherine Handley, raised almost £30 from a cake sale as well as taking donations from staff and pupils to finance the event.

The Academy's place at the heart of the community was further highlighted by the Parent's Voice Group, which pitched in to provide a gift for each of the guests.

Nunthorpe Academy Principal, Debbie Clinton, said: "The Christmas party highlights the role that Nunthorpe Academy plays in the local community. The visitors from the residential homes had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, which was testament to the hard work put in by the students who organised it.

"Nunthorpe's philosophy is that a complete education needs to embrace academic pursuits, personal development as well as cultivating vocational skills. Projects like this are beneficial to the students as they provide practical experience of organising an event from beginning to end and build skills that can be transferred into day-to-day life and their future careers."

The guests were given free coach travel to and from the event, courtesy of Moorside and C&M Coaches.

Hand your entry, with your contact details, into your local branch or email Jessica_Christie@middlesbrough.gov.uk by Monday, January 30. You and a friend could become a library VIP for the day, which would include a tour of Central Library, Middlesbrough, access to the non-public historic collection, tea, cake and a goody bag.

The cost of tickets will be £6. (which includes Pie and Peas supper) and are available at the Parish Centre (01642 316201) or telephone 01642 590580 or 07760134832. There will be a bar open and a raffle.

MIDDLESBROUGH Libraries will be hosting a range of events as part of its World Jam festival this month.
A range of workshops, craft fairs and talks from leading authors will take place at Acklam, Hemlington and Marton libraries.
All events are free and aim to highlight a different culture from around the world.
For more information visit www.middlesbroughcouncil.co.uk.

There will be a Special Guest Model, 10% of all purchases and refreshments provided. Tickets will cost £2 from St.Cuthbert's Parish Centre 01642 316201 or pay at the door.

There will be free escorted tours of this famous and historic church and showing the baptism register of Captain James Cook. Also there will be a Table Top Sale at the Parish Centre with light refreshments and a Tombola.