That was the message at the Lord Silkin School awards evening, which attracted more than 300 guests including England women’s rugby star Heather Fisher, to celebrate the achievements of pupils.

Headteacher Trevor Goddard said the Lord Silkin was not only the most improved school in Telford but also had won an award for the most reduced absenteeism by pupils.

His congratulations were echoed by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Jim Collins, the head of authority’s school improvement service, who said parents were ‘missing a trick’ if they failed to recognise the Lord Silkin as a top choice for secondary education.

Mr Collins said: “This school has consistently worked with the local community to raise standards. The results last year were fantastic and the Lord Silkin in the most improved school in Telford.

“That’s down to the leadership of Trevor Goddard, although he would say it’s part of a real team effort, supported by the staff, governors, parents and the student body. This is a school which is genuinely at the heart of the community.”

More than 100 pupils at the awards evening received honours, with prizes presented by dual internationalist Heather Fisher, who has represented England as part of the national rugby and bob-sleigh teams.

Miss Fisher said: “I have visited the school three times now through the Sky Sports Living for Sports programme. There is a great positive environment and energy at the Lord Silkin School, I could feel it as soon as I walked in. The staff and the students here are brilliant and the school gives pupils fantastic opportunities to be the best they can be.”

Miss Fisher presented the Student of the Year award to Michael Gregg, introduced to guests as a “Lord Silkin legend”. Hoping to pursue a career in medicine, Michael’s GCSE results of 13 A and A* grades were the best ever achieved by a student at the school.

Mr Goddard, who also welcomed the announcement of the creation of a new learning campus in Stirchley, said: “This has been a fantastic year for the school. The future looks very bright thanks to the hard work of the staff, students and support of parents.”

Other award winners on the night included:

Work Experience Students of the Year: Nicola Simkiss, Daniel Betts and Ashton Ojuile – Drama Award: Josh McDonagh – Artist of the Year: Nadine Pritchard -  Musician of the Year: Tom Atkinson – Linguist of the Year: Cameron Johnson-Peart – The Nathan Everton Award: Vicki Preece – Sporting Achievement Award: Stuart Entwistle – The Stewart Blaney Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics, Triple Scientist of the Year and English Student of the Year: Jordan Barrett – The Marcus Holmes Award: Kelly Marie Saunders – Double Scientist of the Year: Jessica Davies – Applied Scientist of the Year: Carmen Kelsall – History Student of the Year, Geographer of the Year, RE Student of the Year, ICT Award, Design Technologist Student of the Year, Head’s Award for Academic Success: Michael Gregg – Student Council Award: Marcus Edwards – Peer Supporter Award: Tayher Miles and Sarah Beresford – The Ambassadors Award: Tom Atkinson, Cameron John-Peart, Nadine Pritchard, Marta Martins – The Jane Woodall Award for Enterprise: Di Morris – Business Studies Student of the Year, Citizenship Award, Community Service Award: David Wilkins – Spiritual, Mortal, Cultural and Social Award: Ben Hollas – Special Recognition Award: Gem Morgan – Head’s Award for Most Progress: Sharney Podmore – Heather Holloway Award for Outstanding Contribution to the School: Dave Heath – Dedication Award: John Edwards – Governors’ Award for Service to the School: David Button.