PROUD parents, staff and governors packed a high school hall to pay tribute to high-achieving former pupils.

Ex-Year 11 students were welcomed back to St John's C of E School in Epping on Thursday for the annual GCSE awards and presentation evening on Thursday.

The year group notched up the school's best ever results, surpassing the Essex and national average for the first time.

Guest of honour at the ceremony was John Duffell, secretary of the town's Royal British Legion branch and former St John's pupil.

He spoke of his family's roots in Epping, his passion for its history and his research into servicemen from the town who had lost their lives in war.

Headteacher George Yerosimou said: "This year group were instrumental in encouraging our students to choose our four house names after Adams, Barker, Sparks and Wright - four Epping lads who had been killed in World Wars or, in the case of Georgie Sparks, in Afghanistan in 2008.

"John inspired the young people present with a challenge to make Epping proud of them, not in conflicts, but in whatever they do in their lives.

"It was great evening and an opportunity to congratulate our students for their wonderful achievements and their parents for their support to their children and the school."