STUDENTS at Chatteris Cromwell Community College are celebrating after being presented with their Bronze Arts Awards.

Fenland District Council leader Alan Melton was there to pass on his congratulations to the students.

The special course was run by InspirationZ Theatre over 12 weeks in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Services.

Receiving the award was a significant achievement for many of the youngsters who are deemed vulnerable or at risk of exclusion from school.

Course facilitator, Vanessa Norman, said: “The students have excelled against all negative expectations and worked extremely hard to ensure they passed the course. We look forward to delivering the course through other schools and youth organisations in the district to ensure the specific needs of these young people are being met.”

Alongside the Arts Award, the students took part in various self development workshops to help them realise their potential. The groups addressed negative experiences they had faced, dealt with anger issues and made plans for the future.

Sessions included a break dance workshop run by Jody Schroeder, a graffiti workshop with Josh Peacock, and a presentation from ex-offender Christopher Syrus who spoke about the realities of prison and the consequences of negative choices.

The celebration event was sponsored by Co-operative Food, Petrou Brothers, Small2Tall, Colourspec and The Barbershop.