Students at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy celebrated their academic successes with parents and teachers at the Academy’s Awards evening on Wednesday, January 30.

The packed crowd was entertained by a variety of singers and dancers from across the school’s year groups, showcasing the students’ talents.

Students were nominated for prizes in each subject as well as Principal’s Awards, which recognise particular successes in each year group.

The Academy specialises in Science and places a particular emphasis on entrepreneurship, awards for which were also handed out.

The prizes were presented by the chair of governors Honor Wilson-Fletcher.

Chairman of the Academy’s sponsor, the Aldridge Foundation and guest speaker of the evening, Sir Rod Aldridge, spoke of the need for all young people to have high aspirations, think big and be prepared to take risks to secure success.

He recalled his own journey from Portslade as a local student at the school, to his work in the local authority and from there to running a multimillion pound business.

He spoke of his hope that all PACA’s students would have the courage and support to fulfil their dreams.