A STRONG sense of community, friendliness and courtesy are the characteristics of Amesbury’s Stonehenge School says headteacher Nigel Roper.

Speaking at the school’s certificate evening, Mr Roper said students had often been described as welcoming, but they were also hard-working and successful.

He said: “In two of the last three years, The Stonehenge School has produced the best examination results in the history of the school. More than anything else, we are delighted for the opportunities this brings for the young people.”

He said the excellent 2013 results surpassed the previous record-breaking year of 2011 and the school, although smaller than average, had reason to be extremely proud of the range of high quality qualifications it could offer.

He added: “It is unhelpful when politicians, many of whom had no experience of comprehensive education in their own childhood, seek to impose a ‘one size fits all’ model upon schools, putting schools under unreasonable pressure to force academic courses on to students for whom they are clearly unsuitable.”

The evening started with some music played by Jordan Mattingley and opening remarks from the school chairman, Michael Bayliss.

The mayor’s award for excellence was presented to Jorge Carter; The Rosindell trophy for KS3 science was awarded to Asa Wilman and the English Speaking Union award was presented to Joshua Price.

The Tintometer award for the top achieving GCSE student went to Jorge Carter and Katie Newham. Among the many other awards and certificates, Paige Tudhope was presented with the Julie Christopher Memorial Award for perseverance.

A vote of thanks was proposed by head girl Megan Armstrong and head boy Adam Souster.