PUPILS at a Basingstoke secondary school got a taste of Hollywood when it held its own Oscar-style awards.

The Vyne Community School hosted its own version of the famous film awards, giving out gold statues to deserving students.

The Outstanding Student Contributions and Readiness-to-learn (OSCAR) awards were presented by Krista Dawkins, headteacher at The Vyne, and her deputy heads.

Eight pupils received the trophies, while others were given prizes and certificates to thank them for their support during some difficult times.

The school in Vyne Road, South View, was graded as “inadequate” by Ofsted and put in special measures in November 2010, but was taken out of the category in March this year, under the new leadership.

Mrs Dawkins said: “We could have gone down the ordinary route and given out ordinary prizes. But this has been an exceptional year. Everyone – staff, students and parents – have pulled together to lay the foundation for a bright future.

“We are a partnership, a real team, and our students have been phenomenal contributors to it. The OSCARs are our way, as a staff, of saying thank-you.”

Among the prizewinners was 14-year-old Alannah O’Neil, who won an active citizenship OSCAR for her fundraising work, which included raising money for an African school, and delivering it in person.

Mrs Dawkins delivered a closing speech at the ceremony, and said: “If you’re asking what’s next, well, just watch this space. The best is yet to come.”

Cream teas were served to award-winners and guests afterwards, provided by the Year 10 food technology students.