A SCHOOL has been praised by the family of a pioneering soldier.

North Waltham Primary School has been awarded a commemorative Tull100 No Barriers medal, along with a letter from Walter Tull's family, for removing barriers in their community.

Pupils from North Waltham held a commemorative football match to remember the life of Tull, the first man of black heritage to become an officer in the regular British Army.

Before the game was played, the school's Oak class read out the Invictus poem by William Henley as well as a diary entry from Mr Tull.

After the games were played a minute's silence was held to mark 100 years since Tull, who was also a footballer, was killed in action in the First World War.

The No Barriers medal challenge was set up in recognition of Tull’s unprecedented achievement in becoming an officer despite the explicit barrier to his promotion at the time, and the Tull100 project will award medals to those who make their communities more inclusive.

Commemorative medals are awarded to those who stand up to make their communities more inclusive.

The No Barriers medal challenge launched on 26 March 2018, the day after the centenary of Tull's death, and will activate through football teams, youth groups, schools and community networks across the country to undertake innovative projects.