THE best of the Bolton school community have been given a chance to shine.

Behind classroom doors are thousands of teachers, pupils and staff working hard every day to bring top class education to the community.

And here we honour the achievements of those people and places that make up all that’s good in the borough’s schools at the second Bolton News School Awards.

Secondary School Pupil of the Year, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors: Ismail Patel and Naomi Crimmins

JUDGES again found it incredibly difficult to choose just one winner for the Secondary School Pupil of the Year — so decided to pick two very deserving recipients.

Ismail Patel is an inspiration to everyone.

The 16-year-old from Astley Bridge, gained a fantastic set of GCSE results whilst at Sharples High School and is now on a Business Studies course at college.

Caroline Molyneux, deputy headteacher at Sharples School said: “At birth doctors gave him a life expectancy of 18 months.

“He communicates with difficulty yet he takes a full part in school life and collected GCSEs grades A-to-C including computing, sciences, English and maths.

“We are very proud of Ismail and feel he is deserving of this award.”
Ismail said he was surprised to find he had won the award but was very proud of everything he had achieved and to have it acknowledged.

Mum Shirin added: “I am so very proud of him and really pleased he has won this award.”

Naomi Crimmins started at Harper Green School in year nine after suffering bullying at her old school to become of the school’s best year 11 pupils.

Paula Holmes-Patel of Harper Green School said: “She is fantastic here and one of our best pupils in year 11. 

“A real success story due to her hard work and determination.”

Naomi, aged 15, went through a difficult time in her previous school before coming to Harper Green where she described feeling “welcome” and “determined to do well”.

After receiving the award the teenager, from Highfield, said: “I’d like to say how proud I am and how much of a privilege it is to win this amazing award.

“If I was asked two years ago where I would see myself I wouldn’t have expected to be here; I have progressed and achieved so much over these past two years and I would like to thank Harper Green School and the phenomenal staff.

“When I leave Harper Green I want to be happy to have been a part of the school community and come out with amazing results to study A Levels at college.”