March student Charlie Calvert was awarded the Junior Young Person of the Year Award for Cambridgeshire at an award ceremony in Cambridge.

As well as his new award, in September 2016 he won a Gold Student Ambassador Award in recognition of three outstanding years at the academy.

Mr Welling, head teacher, said: “There is no doubt that Charlie possesses the qualities to dominate a meeting if he so wishes, but he consciously makes an effort to draw the opinions of all involved.

“He has a kind, caring yet authoritative manner in this situation. Excellent as a role model but equally giving other people the opportunity and support to make their voice heard too.”

To achieve a Student Ambassador Award, students need to display a wide range of leadership skills both in and out of the classroom.

Evidence of Charlie’s achievements includes:

• Peer mentoring of students who may be experiencing difficulties in lessons. With engineering as a recent example, Charlie has supported students in a range of learning activities building their capacity to learn and overcome subject specific challenges.

• Delivery of a presentation and subsequent question and answer session on the Police Cadets to his tutor group. This highlighted Charlie’s confidence to speak in front of others utilising both a formal and informal style. Once again an excellent role model for his peers.

• Contribution to wider Academy life was covered by being a member of the Academy peer mentoring group H2L, which supports students with a wide range of social issues. Charlie is also the Head of the Diana Anti-bullying group in the Academy which has organised a multitude of fund raising events, such as cake sales, to raise awareness and support students influenced by bullying.

• Contribution to life in the community is covered by Charlie’s involvement with the Police Cadets. As a proud member of this local group Charlie has been a regular attendee and used his leadership skills to benefit others.

Charlie was also selected to receive an award in London for his contributions to the Diana Award group.

Mr Welling added: “Charlie is someone who truly makes a difference and inspires others. He possesses the natural air of leadership and is truly a young man worthy of commendation.”

The £200 prize money that Charlie received for his award will be presented to his local police cadet unit.