OLDHAM'S Blue School has celebrated excellence at its annual speech night at the town's major events venue, Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The ceremony was attended by pupils, parents, school governors and teachers.

Deputy mayor Cllr Jenny Harrison and her consort, Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, were in attendance, and former student, James Whitworth - now SAP team lead at motor racing company McLaren Group - was guest speaker.

The headteacher gave a speech covering the achievements – of which there were many - including the schools significant role in the Duke of Edinburgh programme, with students achieving Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.

There were some outstanding performances from the Blue Coat Band, Senior Choir, Zack Smith and India Crompton, in addition to speeches from the head boy Max Butterworth and head girl Eve Parker.

Headteacher Robert Higgins said: “We had a wonderful evening celebrating the achievements of all our young people, which is due to their hard work, but also down to the hard work and support of staff and parents. As well as congratulating our pupils on their academic accomplishments, it was pleasing to acknowledge the wider contributions they have made to the community and to celebrate their many extra-curricular successes and achievements.”