HISTORY was made at Sedbergh School's annual prizegiving as a leading Cumbrian businesswoman became the first female to be principal speaker and prizegiver at the ceremony.

Sarah Dunning, CEO of Westmorland Ltd, which owns Tebay Services on the M6, presided over the Yorkshire Dales' school’s biggest ever audience of nearly 1,000 people as staff, pupils, family and friends assembled.

The event began in the chapel and later moved to the school’s Grade II Listed, oak-panelled Powell Hall.

The morning began with a service with preacher The Right Reverend Robert Freeman, Bishop of Penrith, and a reading from head of school John Campbell, 18. The school’s band played in the upper Cloisters and guests had an opportunity to visit an A Level and GCSE Art and Design exhibition before speeches and prizegiving with an opening address from headmaster Andrew Fleck, followed by the Ms Dunning.

She said: “The energy and can-do approach of Sedbergh and its pupils was very evident and it was a real privilege to be invited to be a part of it.”

Headmaster Andrew Fleck talked about Sedberghian spirit, saying: "Competition runs through the veins of a Sedberghian and our academics are no different from our sportsmen and women.

"As well as enjoying many cup finals in cricket, hockey and rugby, our artists, linguists, mathematicians and biologists have competed in national competitions gaining commendations and medals through their talent and application."

He went on to wish leavers luck in their future endeavours and reminded them that they are not educated to become bystanders but to make things happen, quoting Jim Lovell, Commander of Apollo 13.

The presentation included awards for juniors and seniors, for high academic effort and for achievement throughout the year.

Following the prizegiving ceremony and speeches, lunch was served in houses and pupils later competed in the inter-house Athletics finals before tea was served in the historic Buskholme pavilion.

For a full list of prizes or to read the headmaster’s full speech visit www.sedberghschool.org.