Bev Gwaza, 18, received a Diana Award for her services to the school and wider community.

Dedicated to the memory of the late Princess Diana, the Diana Award recognises the selfless and positive contributions made by tens of thousands of young people towards their schools, communities, families and friends.

The UK Government’s Memorial Committee, chaired by Gordon Brown, founded the Award in 1999 as a lasting celebration of the late Princess and her work.

Bev's inspiring role as head girl involved taking part in many activities for the school. She was a founder member of the Eco group that began recycling within Vandyke and the People and Planets group that is working towards achieving Fair Trade status for the school.

A spokesperson for Vandyke said: “Bev’s leadership skills are impressive and her efforts have been of huge benefit to the school, the local community and also to the wider world. Bev has been a fantastic role model for other students and along the way she managed to achieve four grade A A-Levels in chemistry, biology, history and psychology, thus securing a place at King’s College, London, to read medicine.

“The Princess Diana Award is fully deserved and all who know Bev will be delighted for her.”

The school recently selected Joe Parslow and Vicki Bull as its new head boy and head girl team. Joe and Vicki, who are both Year 13 students, are very enthusiastic and talented, and will be assisted by deputies Nic O’Brien and Yasmin Squire.

Additional support will be provided by the senior student team, which has over thirty student members. Their first task will be to organise Smile Week, Vandyke’s annual fund-raising week for the orphanage in Malawi.