ONE of the country's favourite sports stars attended a school's annual awards ceremony last night.

Dame Tanni Grey Thompson was guest of honour for the awards at Polam Hall School, in Darlington.

Dame Tanni, who has won 11 Paralympic gold medals, including two at the Athens Games last year, addressed the audience. Talented students were also presented with awards for academic achievement.

Headteacher Marie Green said: "This is a very important part of our school year. It gives us an opportunity to review the past year, celebrate the efforts and successes of our students and to look forward to the future. Dame Tanni is an inspirational figure and we were delighted that she agreed to be our guest speaker."

The award winners were:

Middle Fifth: Year prizes - Lucy Downes, Dominique Forrest, Lucinda Thompson; Year Progress Prizes - Lydia Burnside-Hughes, Rebecca Vallis, Karen Wong and Emma Wright.

Upper Fifth: Year Prizes - Rachel Alban, Claire Graham and Gemma Lyne; Year progress prizes - Veda Avula, Kristina Gallagher, Alexandra Hodgson and Emily Smith.

GCSE: Good Achievement (7 or more Grade A and A*) - Rachel Booth, Siobhan Daniels, Jessica Farr, Eleanor Givens, Elizabeth Hall, Stephanie Hannigan, Philippa Hudson, Amelia Kounnou, Helen Merson, Rosanna Metcalfe, Sally Munford, Jessica Robb, Rebecca Semple, Sophie Tompkins and Claire Wytcherley; Thomson Cup for progress at GCSE - Steffi Hendriksen and Polly Waller; Barclays Bank Business Studies Award for the best GCSE business studies result - Philippa Hudson; Kay Rumney Cup to the girl who has made the most significant progress in one or more languages at GCSE - Alice Cobb; Best Overall - Stephanie Hannigan.

Upper Sixth: Best progress - Lauren Beedle and Cobby Chan; Best overall - Rebecca Leung.

Upper Sixth Leavers: Best A-level achievement - Fatima Malik; Cup for highest mark in art or photography - Rachel Taylor; Arts Shield for highest mark in geography or history - Susan Scott; English Cup for highest mark in English language or English literature - Hannah Harvey; Mathematics Cup for the highest mark in mathematics, further mathematics or statistics - Ayesha Malik; Modern languages cup for the highest mark in French, German or Spanish - Hannah Harvey; Performance Subjects Cup for the highest mark in drama, music or physical education - Rachel Taylor; Science Cup for the highest mark in biology, chemistry or physics - Susan Scott; Social Sciences Cup for the highest mark in business studies, economics or government and politics - Rebecca Leung; Staff 1930 Award for the most promising pupil intending to pursue a veterinary or medical career - Fatima Malik (2005) and Hannah Garvey (2006); Cawson Shield for a high standard of performance and commitment on a stringed instrument - Harriet Bradshaw; Parker Bowl for a high standard of performance and commitment in singing - Jessica Auton and Jessica Deakin; Helen Wilson Cup for outstanding contribution and commitment to the school production - Rachael Dalton Deverall and Charlotte Kay; Anna Billington Cup for an overall endeavour and improvement in sport - Rachael Wattam; Pearson Cup for excellence in sport - Jade Clark, Eleanor Givens; Lister Cup for outstanding contribution to the house system - Charlotte Blench; Deputy Head Girls' Award - Jasmin Lodge and Ayesha Malik; Head Girl's Award - Susan Scott; Judith Carswell Cup for significant contribution to the boarding community - Vivien Lui; J E Ridley Howlett Cup for charitable service - Susan Scott; Civics Cup for community spirit and service within the school and community - Siobhan Daniels; Ann Oliver Award for determination in difficult circumstances - Sophie Meredith-Smith; Head's Dux Award for leadership - Holly Ainsworth; Helen Hamilton Cup for contribution throughout the Sixth Form - Deborah Cullinan.