HIGH-achieving students of The Royal School were presented with their recent GCSE and A-Level certificates at a glitzy awards evening.

This summer’s candidates were invited to celebrate their excellent examination results with parents, teachers and friends in Kilmorey Hall, which was decorated especially for the occasion.

Bucking the national trends following the introduction of tougher exams, Royal pupils scored 50.7 per cent A*/A at A-Level, compared to a national average of 26.4 per cent, and 94.2 per cent A*to C (9-4) at GCSE.

Medicine featured strongly this year at A Level, with one student achieving three A* and one A grade and a place to read veterinary medicine at Cambridge University. A total 40 per cent of students achieved three A grades or more.

After the awards night, Paul Norman, head of sixth form, said: “It was wonderful to see all the pupils and parents catching up with each other’s news.

“This year’s guest speaker was John Sullivan, an ex-Royal Marine and expedition leader for programmes commissioned by the BBC and National Geographic Channel. His stories of survival and adventure in the jungles of Belize, Borneo, and Papua New Guinea were most inspiring.

“The message to pursue all your interests and passions shone clear, as the ballroom dancing classes and subsequent marriage to his dance partner showed. We were very grateful for his company on what was a fabulous celebratory evening.”

Later in November, the lower sixth hosted the annual sixth form concert and tea party for older residents of Haslemere, who live in care homes.

The event included performances from all year groups throughout the senior school, and carol singing, in which everyone joined together, as well as an invitation to enjoy refreshments.

Leading up to the event, the lower sixth pupils organised the entertainment, wrapped presents and decorated Kilmorey Hall ready for 70 guests. They arranged a wide variety of performances by senior school pupils, including dance and music. These were mixed together with a medley of festive songs, which went down very well with all their guests.

One grateful guest wrote: “It was a lovely afternoon and very many thanks for giving pleasure to so many of the elderly in Haslemere.

“One of the people I brought goes out so rarely and he was full of it at the end. I am sure he will talk about it for the days to come too.”