THE headteacher at a Rawtenstall school has praised the pupils for keping it ‘at the forefront of education in England'.

David Hampson, speaking at Alder Grange’s presentation evening, said 2013 had been a ‘remarkable’ year for the Calder Road school.

Sonny Ashworth, 16, received an award for endeavour after he battled leukaemia to return to lessons earlier this year.

He was joined by dozens of recently-departed year 11 and year 13 students who returned to pick up prizes.

Mr Hampson said: “During the past year, the school has seen some remarkable events which confirm the place of Alder Grange at the forefront of education in England.

“On the sporting front, Alder Grange AGCATS became national cheerleading champions and the team have nurtured and developed many younger pupils to follow their lead.

“This year has also been busy on the charity fundraising front. There are many examples but the ones that spring to mind are the fundraising for Macmillan Cancer led by Jodie-Leigh Banks with Alex Finnerty, following the death of Jodie’s grandfather.

“It shows how turning sadness and grief in your own life to good use for the benefit of others can be a powerful motivator.

“Secondly, the fundraising by the year 11s for Ronald McDonald’s Children Homes, which classmate Sonny Ashworth, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, used during his illness.

“It was humbling to see how year 11 responded to the adversity of one of their own.”

Last year’s sixth-formers posted the school’s best-ever A-level results while GCSE students scored more A* and A grades than ever before.

Mr Hampson added: “All of our year 13 students who intended to go to university were successful in gaining places.

“Ag6 is going from strength to strength, equipping Alder Gragers with the knowledge and skills for the future.”