A MARTIAL arts expert and a potential police pathologist will lend their strength and authority to an academy after being chosen to lead their peers through another successful year.

Lewis Scott and Chloe Nevison were among 11 students at St Aidan’s Academy, in Darlington, who competed in a hustings for the coveted title of head boy and girl.

Each year 10 student had to apply formally for the senior school position, write a speech and deliver it convincingly to the rest of the school, who then took part in a ballot.

Lewis and Chloe each won with a clear majority and will now lead the school in year 11 with a team of deputies and prefects.

Taekwondo expert Lewis, who is working towards his black belt, has just won silver at the Dutch Masters fighting for his club Koryo Quakers, while Chloe has recently joined the Police Cadets and wants to be a forensic pathologist.

Principal Nicole Gibbon said: “I was delighted that everyone put so much thought into their presentations, that their visions matched those of the academy so beautifully.

“During the speeches you could have heard a pin drop showing that all of our students were completely enthralled by what the candidates had to say and the whole process showed that our culture of respect, kindness, patience, self control, love and joy now pervades every corner of St Aidan’s.”

Cameron Smith and Chloe Summers will act as their deputies.

Daniel Hope becomes head of year 10, Lauren Smith and Noemi Dankova heads of year 9, Phoebe Morris and Emma Harland heads of year 8 and Laura Summers and Owen Davies heads of year 7.