Proud families watched as students were presented with Sports Leaders’ Awards, a very popular course with 27 completing the qualification.

This year saw the first special leadership awards at Waltham Toll Bar Academy’s Sports Awards Evening.

The presentation formed part of an event which recognised students’ many successes and the important part sport plays in the life of the academy.

A total of 12 students were nominated by the ‘Spirit of Leadership’ award, run in conjunction with North East Lincolnshire School Sport Partnership.

Deputy Curriculum Leader for PE Rob Allenby, responsible for the Sports Leaders’ course, told the audience at the New Waltham school that students had to run sessions on athletics, golf, kurling, rugby and football.

“As well as these, they have assisted with the sports days for our own primary schools in Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust,” he said.

“The ‘Spirit of Leadership’ award recognises those who went above and beyond throughout the course.

“This is the first time students from the Academy have been successful in gaining these awards.”

Emily Horsney was awarded ‘Sports Leader of the Year’ for her “tireless commitment, attitude and work ethic” throughout the course.

Further success for academy students came in the popular Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Lead teacher Charlotte Seal announced 24 students had earned bronze awards and 12 were working towards their silver.

She was “really proud” that students’ DofE volunteering hours had almost doubled to 832, up from 442 the previous year.

Charlotte was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party earlier this year in recognition of her work leading the programme.

The evening was opened by Curriculum Leader for PE Amy Pharaoh who thanked students for their dedication throughout a successful year in sport.

Executive Principal Philip Dickinson congratulated the winners and thanked families for their support and encouragement of children.

He was proud of the huge amount of extra-curricular opportunities the academy was able to offer its students.

The Cameron Walsh Team of the Year, named after a former pupil who died in a tragic accident in January 2024, was won by the Year 10 girls’ netball team.

Before presenting the award, his mum Kerry spoke movingly about how Cameron enjoyed school and, in particular, sport. His passion was football and he was on Grimsby Town FC’s books when he died.