TEST results which saw Joseph Rowntree School described as the most improved secondary school in York were celebrated at its annual celebration of achievement evening.

The evening was held at the Central Hall of the University of York, and the guests of honour were Patrick Scott, director of education with City of York Council, and Susan Hartshorne, trustee with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The head teacher, Hugh Porter, said test and examination results at 14, 16 and 18 years of age were among the best in the school's history, adding that the school had been described as the most improved secondary school in the city.

But he said examination results were only a part of the overall picture, with many other achievements made over the year.

These included a successful application to extend Technology College status for a further three years; many sporting achievements, including breaking records and high-level representative honours; musical and artistic successes, often linking with the local community; extensive charity work, including a £5,000 donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital; and other activities, from trips abroad to organising the senior citizens' party

Music was provided by the swing band and the harmony group.

Prizes and Certificates

The following students receive certificates in recognition of 100 per cent attendance during the school year 2000/2001.

Year 7: Martin Bailey, Amy Evans, Nicola Gray, Adam McGuigan, Darren North, Joshua Patterson.

Year 8: Louise Holmes, Charlene Hughes, Ben Talbot.

Year 9: Sophie Bennett, Vikki Coulthard, Steven Fogg, Craig Harton, Paul Montgomery, Lee Talbot.

Year 10: Robert Barnes, Rachael Stevens, David West, Kylie Witts, Charlene Woodward.

Year 11: Marc Cruickshank, Emily McIntosh, Clare Romeniuk, Matthew Taylor, Robert Winning, Paul Wright.

The following students receive certificates in recognition of outstanding performance recognised in the credit, merit and achievement slip system.

Year 7: Amy Evans, Laura Grajewski, Nina Malton, Leah Maples, Nicola Paget, Sally Ridgeon, Rosie Wright.

Year 8: Laura Aitken, Lucy Bellerby, Faye Laverack, Tom Leadley, Becky Towell, Michael Watson.

Year 9: Jamie Case, Jamie Leigh Day, Danielle Hazel, Kerry Marshall, Georgina Roberts, Reuben Smith, Katie Tuff, Rachel Young.

Year 10: Lee Coulthard, Tom Hutchinson, Rebecca Sellwood, Andrew Skingle, Lorraine Watson.

Year 11: Susannah Brodrick, Stephen Clayton, Katie Evans, Alex Fall, Rachel King.

The following students receive prizes in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the life of their year.

Year 7: Robert Nicholas. Year 8: Michael Watson. Year 9: Edward Hick. Year 10: Leanne Newman and David West. Year 11: Chris Atkinson.

Year 12: Krystal Wasserman.

Year 13: Kathryn Douglas.

The following students receive prizes for outstanding attitude and achievements in the subjects of the curriculum.

Art: Matthew Eastwood.

Business studies: Nick Nichol.

Design and technology: Andrew Fenton and Ben Worrall.

Economics: Matthew Stockdale.

English: Helen Baker.

Food and textiles technology: Emily McIntosh.

General Studies: Catherine Harver.

Geography: Kathryn Douglas.

Health and social care: Nicola Kirwan.

History: James Edwards.

IT: James Carruthers.

Mathematics: Michael McLean.

Modern foreignlanguages: French: Rachel Hunter. German: Laurence Orr.

Music: Simon Antoun and Kate Monroe.

PE: Oliver Mills and Charlene Woodward.

Pyschology: Amanda Fenwick.

RE: Linden Starr.

Biology: Neil McClure. Chemistry: Sarah Massen.

Physics: Karolina Zastawniak.

Sociology: Katy Neep.

Special needs: Jason Cruddas.

The following students receive certificates in recognition of participation in sport at county level or above.

Jennifer Bailey, Helen Birdsall, Catherine Cordell, Helen Cordell, Amy Cunnington, Farzana Dewan, Edward Hick, Lynsey Jacks, James Langley, Sarah Massen, Michelle McQuade, Harry Pashby, Gemma Shaw, Matthew Stockdale, James Want, Tom Walters, Lorraine Waudby, Marion Willis.

The Governors' Prizes for Outstanding Performance at GCSE/GNVQ.

James Edwards, Rachel Hunter, Karolina Zastawniak.

Young Enterprise Certificates. The following students receive certificates in recognition of their contribution to the Young Enterprise Scheme: Simon Antoun, Elizabeth Angood, Sarah Spragg, Krystal Wasserman.

Personal Development Programme. The following students receive certificates in recognition of their achievements in the Personal Development Programme.

Year 13: Adam Burgess, David Clayton, Kathryn Douglas, Lyndsey Hammond, Elizabeth Howat, Sarah Massen, Lee Moody.

Year 12: Helen Baker, Jenny Carter, Steve Dambrauskas, Rob Douglas, Chris Fawcett, Suzanne Hinchliffe, Sarah Houseman, Daniel Rogers, Sarah Spragg, Jane Thackray, Krystal Wasserman.

Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award: Amy Cunnington.

Outstanding Performance at Advanced Level: Sarah Driscoll, Amanda Fenwick, Sarah Massen and Louise Perrins.

Chadha Trophy for Outstanding Personal Achievement: Daniel Tait.