IT'S been a time of exciting successes in both the academic and sporting world for one particular South Lakes school this year.

Kirkbie Kendal School has hosted its inaugural prize giving ceremony this week to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its fellow pupils.

From nearly 50 students achieving the bronze award in the Duke of Edinburgh award to 100 boys and girls successfully gaining a number of gold, silver and bronze certificates in the UK Maths challenge this year Kirkbie Kendal is bursting with pride.

Year 13 students this year achievement excellent A-level results with 58 per cent being awarded between the A*-B margin and 82 per cent achieving A*-C.

And for the fourth year in a row every GCSE student has achieved their five pass grade, extending the school record.

Aside from academic achievements the school has also thrived in the sporting community.

In cross-country the junior girls team had an impressive performance this season and finished on a high by being titled Cumbria Champion in Sedbergh and going to Suffolk for the national finals and coming 15th overall across the UK.

In football, the year seven boys came runners up at the County Finals as well as becoming South Lakes five a side champions. For the girls Carla Butcher has been chosen to play for Blackburn Football Club.

Another starring athlete is Caitlin Whitehead, year eleven, who has represented England in international events as well as represented Europe in Hong Kong. She has also won Sports Personality of the Year at Cumbria Sports.

The school's headmaster Philip Hyman was quick to praise his students as being "well-rounded, caring, courteous and considerate" young people, as well as congratulating them on their outstanding 2019 exam results.

Pupils have consistently demonstrated their considerate and caring attitudes throughout the year, continued Mr Hyman, by participating in a number of projects including St Mary's Hospice, Children in Need as well as organising a number of events for charities such as Papyrus by hosting cake sales, talent shows and singing.

The headmaster added that for like many schools, they had to work hard to raise money in order that works could be carried out to the establishment. This included a £750,000 fundraise for the roof to be refurbished as well as securing a further £1.4million pounds for further improvements.

At the prize giving the Guest of Honour was Dr Kate Rawles, who shared her passion for adventures and raising awareness about the urgent environmental challenges in our world today.

She spoke of one of her adventures which involved her riding a bamboo bike, which she built herself, across South America in order to inspire action on biodiversity loss.