SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPIL OF THE YEAR

NAME – Lewis Partington

AGE – 17

SCHOOL – Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

BASED – Sudell Road, Darwen

NUMBER OF PUPILS – 1317

SCHOOL MISSION/VISION – Realise Your Potential

“IF a job needs doing, do it yourself,” says Lewis Partington, the winner of this year’s Secondary School Pupil of the Year.

It’s that positive, proactive attitude which won him the award, particularly after the judges heard about the 10 hours he spends every week coaching youngsters, his Scouting activities and the fundraising he’s doing for Ugandan youngsters.

Lewis, 17, who lives in Darwen with his parents and younger brother Ethan, is a football coach and referee at the Academy and St Peter’s Primary in Darwen.

The judges of the category, sponsored by Nelson and Colne College, were impressed that he fits all his sports volunteering around his academic life – he is studying maths, physics and sport – and his role as Young Leader for the Bold Venture Park Scouts in the town.

When he was invited to go on a school trip to help African youngsters in Kampala last year Lewis promptly took part in a triathlon to raise money.

With that and cash raised from a sale of his granddad Matt Donnelly’s photographs he raised more money than any of the other 17 students involved.

Now he plans to return to Africa next year and is spearheading the school’s fundraising, including a 24-hour non-stop sports fundraiser in September.

He said when the head teacher said he “wanted a word with him” he thought he was in trouble.

He said: “I was surprised to hear about the award to be honest. When the head wanted a word I thought it was something bad! I enjoy the coaching, using what I have learnt and helping other people to pass it on and hope they pass it on too.”

Michelle Billington, assistant principal at DACA, said: “Lewis is an outstanding student who has excelled academically and made an impact on the lives of others during his secondary education.

“His contribution to the Academy, the local and international communities make him a deserving winner of the Secondary School Pupil of the Year.”

Lewis is taking a gap year in 2017 - he has been invited to do some football coaching in Dubai – and then plans to study maths and sports science at Loughborough University.