THEe 70th anniversary of Darwen Vale High School was celebrated at their prize night on Wednesday.

Headteacher Lynn Dunning said the school was also looking forward to the future: ”At Darwen Vale High School we remain committed to raising standards of academic achievement while preparing our young people for the demands they are likely to face in the 21st century.

“We are aware that if they are to face the future with zest and self confidence we need to educate them not just to pass exams but we also need to encourage them to be creative, original as well as competent.”

She added: “The school has always been at the heart of the local community and will always be so.”

>> PRIZEWINNERS

Senior Poetry Prize awarded by ISS, Amy Earlam; Excellence in Vocational Science, Nisha Tirmizi; BTEC Progress in Engineering Awarded by Blackburn College, Billie-Jo Ainsworth; BTEC Progress in Engineering Runner Up Awarded by Blackburn College, Kirsty Watson; The Liz Heatlie-Jackson Memorial Trophy for Creativity, Thurston Thomson. Hindle Foundation prizes awarded by the faculties and school sections Year 10: English, Amy Earlam; Geography, Amy Earlam; Art, Amy Earlam; Mathematics, Thurston Thomson; Science: Daniel Brown; French: James Scholes; Religious Studies, James Scholes; Physical Education (BTEC), James Scholes; German: Sam Padbury; History: Chloe Bingham; ICT: Callum Evans; Technology: Emily Brown; Physical Education:Sam Woodcock & Sam Padbury; Music: Thurston Thomson; Progress: Darryl Hartley; Service to School: Shannon Marshall; Service to the School Library: Alex Keppie. Attendance: Amy Barnes; Teri Birtwistle; Amy Earlam; Chris Entwistle; Stuart Gunn; Lee Haworth; Danielle Marr; Reysa Raza; Alex Wilkins. Year 11 Highest GCSE Aggregate – Hargreaves Prize: Rheanan Buckle; Vocational Studies – Lloyd Cup: Sally Todd; Service to the School awarded by Rendall Allen: Marc Holmes; Service to the School (charities) awarded by Edwin Yates: Jasmine Gohil; Service to the School awarded by Edwin Yates: Jake Tattersall; Service to the School awarded by John Haighton: Sancha Arthur; Outstanding Achievement at GCSE – Alcock Prize: Aaron Thornley; Achievement at KS4 – Arthur Bishop Prize: Rheanan Buckle; Excellence in Science awarded by Trevor Holmes: Micheal Clarkson;Mathematics, Science and Computing – Strafford Prize: Hussnen Abbas; Performing Arts awarded by Don Newton: Jake Tattersall; Creative Arts – Alder Prize: Kathryn Walsh; Excellence in Vocational Science: Aaron Bottomley;Languages – Zaman Prize: Rheanan Buckle; Senior English Prize for Excellence awarded by Marks & Spencer: Emma Hughes; Learning Skills – Gordon Taylor Tribute Award: Peter Smith; Chemistry KS4: Rebecca Adcroft; Mathematics Progress KS4 – Arthur Bishop Tribute Award: Levi Mayman; Outstanding Achievement in Verbal Communication awarded by Abbey Telecom: Rheanan Buckle; Biology KS4 – Adeline Flude Tribute Award: Emma Hughes; Physics KS4 awarded by Herbert Parkinson: Jake Tattersall; German KS4: Liam Monaghan; French KS4: Rebecca Adcroft; Geography KS4 awarded by Riley Advertising: Michael Clarkson; History KS4 awarded by Complete Document Solutions: Rheanan Buckle; Leisure & Tourism KS4: Hayley Oats; Art KS4 awarded by Bevlan: Shantheep Sivarajah; Religious Studies KS4 awarded by McDonalds: Rebecca Adcroft; Music Performance KS4 awarded by Zig Zag Recording: Rachel Millner; Drama KS4: Marc Holmes; Dance KS4 – Adeline Flude Tribute Award: Chantelle Gavin;Business Studies KS4 awarded by Blackburn with Darwen Partnership: Sally Todd; Business Studies awarded by Nat West: Michael Penman; ICT KS4 awarded by F H Brown: Allen Liu; BCS Prize: James Morgan; Engineering KS4 awarded by Gordon Flude: Josh Hughes; BTEC Achievement in Engineering Awarded by Blackburn College: Joa’rdanne Ellis; BTEC Achievement in Engineering Runner Up Awarded by Blackburn College: Shantheep Sivarajah;Resistant Materials awarded by Accrington and Rossendale College: Jordan Macquarrie; Systems and Control awarded by Bae: James Morgan; Graphics awarded by Papershade: Emma Hughes; Child Development awarded by Key Catering PLC: Emily Martin; Textiles awarded by Hobkirk Sewing: Ashley Kirby; Food Studies awarded by LPA Foodservice: Rheanan Buckle; Sportswoman of the Year awarded by the PTFA: Kathryn Walsh, Sportsman of the Year awarded by the PTFA: Ryan Fielding; Outstanding Contribution to Sport: Scott Robinson; GCSE Physical Education Prize: Alex Butterworth; Physical Education KS4: Darren Armstrong & Kathryn Walsh; Head Boy Award: Michael Clarkson; Head Girl Award: Rheanan Buckle.