RETURNING students raised the bar as they were presented with honours to recognise their success by a gold medal winning gymnast.

Former Year 11 pupils at Haughton Academy in Darlington, part of the Education Village Academy Trust, were praised at an award ceremony to reward effort and achievement by Commonwealth gold medallist and Olympic finalist Craig Heap.

The ceremony, attended by parents, carers, teachers and governors, saw the returning GCSE pupils acknowledged for their accomplishments in a host of subject areas alongside awards for positive attitude, behaviour, resilience, determination, attendance, leadership, spirit, kindness and outstanding conduct.

Mr Heap, who won 14 British championship titles, competed in five European and five World championships, retired from gymnastics in 2002 and now works as a commentator for BBC and Sky sport.

“Life isn’t easy, if it was we would all get grade 9s in our exams, we would all be Olympic athletes, we would all have great jobs and loads of money – but life isn’t like that,” he said.

“Life is about getting out there, seizing your chances, saying yes to opportunities," he added.