The achievements of a sixth form class, described by their headmaster as one of the best ever, have been recognised at a school's annual prize-giving.

Among the leavers at Barnard Castle School were star students singled out by headmaster David Ewart as "six of the best".

They are Joseph Paddison, from Darlington, who holds a Physics Olympiad certificate and was given a special commendation for his AS physics project; Lewis Fieldhouse, a singer, dancer and actor from Harrogate, has won a place at Rose Bruford College in London; Ashley Currie, from Darlington, who won the school's Young Musician of the Year title several times and contributed to virtually all the school's musical productions; Kineta Kelsall, from Barnard Castle, an elite athlete who was a bronze medallist in the English Schools' Championships in 2005 and has led many school teams to victory; Lia Spark, a boarder from Lincoln, who was commended by external assessors in achieving her gold Duke of Edinburgh award and was an outstanding member of the schools Combined Cadet Force.

A special mention was given to the school's rugby team, which came within a point of winning the Daily Mail Cup in March.

Director of sport Martin Pepper paid tribute to team captain and U18 England player Calum Clark, from Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Presenting him with a framed shirt signed by his team mates, he said Calum was the best captain he had seen in his six years at Barnard Castle School.