A FORMER Wyedean School pupil who has turned his academic career around was among the big winners at an annual student success awards.

Harry Morgan, of Chepstow, won the coveted outstanding achievement in any field of study award at Gloucestershire College's Royal Forest of Dean Campus awards ceremony last Wednesday.

The 18-year-old, who is currently studying for his Extended National Diploma in IT (Software Design), joined the college with "indifferent" GCSE results.

But in a short space of time – with the help from his teachers – achieved a grade B in GCSE English, distinctions in all units of his diploma and secured a place at Bradford University to study Computing Science in September.

In total 41 awards were given out to students studying different courses for academic excellence, overcoming difficulties in order to succeed and for going out of their way to help others.

There were two new awards introduced this year, including the construction craft apprentice of the year award, which went to 19-year-old Lee Turley from Lydney, and the apprentice award for ICT, business and customer service, which went to 17-year-old Louise Taylor from Coleford.

Louise is also in the running to win the outstanding customer service award in the Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2015, which take place on Thursday, July 2 at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Preest, from Lydney, took home The Royal Forest of Dean Campus ambassador award and 18-year-old Nataley Simpson, from Chepstow, The Jake Marlowe Award for independent research.

Guests including sponsors were welcomed by Principal Matthew Burgess before each awarded student received a certificate, trophy and £50 Amazon voucher. Assistant site principal Sandra Tyrrell gave a vote of thanks and guests celebrated with a barbecue and live music.