Two students from Cranbrook School are to receive the Diana Award.

Set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the award acknowledges those young people aged between nine and 25 who have made an outstanding contribution to society.

This year's list to be announced on July 1 will include Adam Harrod, a current Year 13 student at Cranbrook, and Ben West, who recently left the school.

Adam’s passion for music led him to spend many hours behind the scenes; encouraging his peers to perform in school shows – including Cranbrook’s annual musical highlights DanSing and Hairspray, organising charity concerts, and leading rehearsals of many house and school ensembles.

In the absence of the regular conductor, Adam stepped up to lead the school orchestra and through his leadership and motivational skills increased student participation from just over a dozen to in excess of 40 members!

When music was cut from the school provision two years ago, Adam took it upon himself to resurrect music groups in the school thereby providing opportunities for fellow students to perform.

After he completes his A-Levels, Adam wants to train as a doctor.

He leads the MedSoc group at Cranbrook for other students interested in a career in medicine often giving presentations to the younger years. Yet he still finds time outside of school to work as a volunteer at a local dementia care home.

Ben West was nominated for his dedication in raising awareness and provision for mental health among young people in schools.

His brother Sam committed suicide in January 2018, and since then Ben has campaigned tirelessly, setting up the Walk to Talk Project, which started as a group walk across Kent to the Houses of Parliament. They were met with a warm reception and a letter of acknowledgement by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Ben also set up a petition, Save Our Students, which has gained over 209,500 signatures. It calls for the government to invest in mandatory mental health first aid training for teachers so that they are better equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to help many young people who are suffering much like Sam did.

Ben is currently studying aeronautical engineering at Liverpool University. During his time at Cranbrook he was a leading figure in the CCF and a senior cadet in his final year.