A GROUP of successful school pupils have been given the royal seal of approval after achieving Gold Award certificates through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Jane Guest, who leads Yarm School’s Department for Education (DE) Award Scheme, joined HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at a ceremony at St James’s Palace, London, to personally present the awards to 45 students.

Mrs Guest said: “I was extremely proud and honoured to assist at such a prestigious event. It was a memorable experience to meet the Duke of Edinburgh and enjoy a conversation with him about my own experiences.”

Yarm School has a direct licence to run the scheme independently, with more than 100 students participating at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. One of their most recent expeditions saw the students canoe from Fort William to Inverness.

David Dunn, headmaster at Yarm School, said: “I am delighted for Jane that she was invited to St James’s Palace as the work she does in leading the scheme is remarkable. I would like to wish all of our students the best of luck."

Former Yarm School pupils, Harry Runnacles, Jasmine Wilkinson and Charles Barrowcliff, were among the 45 Gold award recipients.