ILKLEY Grammar School held its annual celebration event for 'red tie' students at The King’s Hall, Ilkley, on Tuesday, November 19 to mark their superb GCSE results.

The event was attended by over 500 guests, including students, parents, carers, school staff and local dignitaries.

All students received their GCSE certificates and awards were presented by headteacher Carly Purnell, head of year Clare Robun, chair of governors Peter Shelley and guest of honour Chris Borrett.

Emelyn McCann and Alex Wolfenden were first to collect their special awards for demonstrating their ‘Personal Best’.

The two winners of The Young Musician of the Year award were announced as Sam Roberts and Caitlin Robson.

Dylan Hurst and Alfred Griffiths were awarded the Commitment to School and Community award, both of whom were praised for their outstanding dedication to IGS since joining year 7.

The Personal Development award was awarded to Daanial Mirzapour and George Bayne and Matilda Irvine were the two winners of the Community Sports award.

Roseanna Williams was awarded the Ilkley Town Council Citizenship award, which was presented by Councillor Jane Gibson, the Deputy Mayor of Ilkley.

The Ilkley Playhouse award was presented by the President of the Ilkley Playhouse, Samantha Hill, and the worthy winner was Matthew Disney.

The Ilkley Grammar School Values awards for Respect, Courage, Responsibility, Kindness, Resilience and Pride were awarded to William Naylor; Lexie Thorpe; Hannah Cressey; Mia Leighton; Harry Nolan and Isaiah Sison.

The Janet Buckley Award that recognises exceptional progress and learning in Geography, was awarded to Isabelle Clough. The award is given in memory of Ilkley’s late colleague, Janet Buckley, who was much loved and highly regarded by all.

The Head of Year award was presented to Evie Adams. Mrs Purnell spoke of Evie’s time throughout her five years at Ilkley Grammar School, noting how she had navigated challenges with calmness and resilience.

The awards ceremony concluded with the prestigious Harvard Book Prize award. This award recognises academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for reading and learning and is nominated by The English Department. The winner not only receives a commendation letter from Harvard University, but a gift of recent literature and a special citation. Amelia McLoughlin took away this final prize, which was awarded for their impressive achievements and flair, as well as their “love of English which has shone through since year 7” and the sheer “commitment and dedication to creative writing.”

The evening closed with a speech from the Guest of Honour, Chris Borrett - Investment Director with Mercia Ventures, who inspired the students and guests alike about his journey into the competitive world of venture capitalism. Chris talked about the lessons he’d learned along the way in a sector that is known for innovation, reminiscing about his involvement in varied financial endeavours and ‘start-ups’ in artificial intelligence, orbital aerospace, precision therapies and digital consumerism, to name a few.

As a local resident from childhood, Chris spoke warmly about what inspired him, what motivated him and his academic pursuits, relating to the young people in the audience. Chris’s speech culminated in some advice for the audience, encouraging them to find their passion, mission, vocation and reason, drawing upon the Japanese concept of ‘Ikigai’, and urged the young people to be curious of the possibilities and learning opportunities in life, optimise for what they find interesting, work hard and with focus and always be kind to others, actively seeking to build a network of people and support.

Guests were treated to highly accomplished musical performances by students of their own year group, including a flawless introduction of Elton John: Your Song by Dylan Hurst on piano, a captivating interlude of Gabriel’s Oboe by Orla Murray, Xanthe Gutch and Emelyn McCann, and an outstanding performance of ‘The Sun’ll Come Out in Five’ by Matthew Disney, Cailtin Robson and Edward Shelley.

Headteacher Carly Purnell said: “It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the success of our red tie students and take pride in what they have achieved and the people they have become. They are a fantastic group of young people who have the skills and qualities, as well as now having the qualifications, to make a positive difference through the lives they lead. They have been, and will continue to be, a credit to themselves, their families, and their school and I want to thank them for everything they have contributed and given to IGS over the last 5 years. Whatever their next steps, whether in Post-16 at IGS or elsewhere, college or apprenticeships, I wish them all the very best – they all have a bright future ahead of them.”