A hero of London 2012 was the guest speaker at his former school’s awards evening.

The captain of the GB wheelchair rugby team, Steve Brown, joined pupils, staff, governors and parents for Borden grammar’s annual prize-giving.

Steve, who is pictured with head boy Timothy Westby, presented the honours and spoke about his journey to become a paralympian while urging them to fulfil their potential.

New head Jonathan Hopkins paid tribute to the work of his predecessor, Harold Vafeas, who retired after being diagnosed with cancer. He was a guest at the evening.

Students from Years 10 to 13 were handed prizes for academic and sporting excellence and for contributions to the school.

Mr Hopkins said: “The achievements of the year were wide ranging, including assemblies and lessons delivered by two students who had visited Auschwitz, participation in the National Handball Finals and the achievements of top grades at GCSE and A-level by a large number of students.”