A 13-year-old Teesside boy has bagged a prestigious award for his "moving and powerful" essay about the war in Ukraine.

In his piece, Red House School pupil, Ethan Reddivari, 13, depicted the ordeals of a young boy living in a war-stricken area in Ukraine, vividly capturing terrifying encounters amidst gunfire and bombings.

Ethan’s piece topped entries from across the UK in the Independent School Association (ISA) Essay Competition.

Dr Rebecca Ashcroft, Head of Red House School, said: "Ethan’s essay is incredibly moving and powerful, and the award is a testament to his hard work and the ability of the staff at Red House, who continuously encourage creativity in all aspects of learning at our school."

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Competition judges admired Ethan’s "powerful, mature and convincing" writing, saying: "Ethan wrote a very moving story of a young boy shivering and sheltering in a war-stricken area, feeling the building shaking as the bombs were falling around his flat and hearing his mother’s sobs and screams."

The Norton-based school was again recognised recently as a top institution in the North East and one of the best in Britain in the Sunday Times Parent Power League Tables.