Teenagers were described as shining examples at a Gorleston academy's celebration evening.

The Ormiston Venture Academy class of 2013 wore red gowns and gold tassel mortar boards for their graduation, watched by proud parents and family, and teachers, who cheered and applauded each one as they received a certificate from the academy's principal, Simon Gilbert-Barnham.

Several pupils also received gold sashes in acknowledgement of their outstanding achievement in their GCSE results.

The academy was declared outstanding by Ofsted this year and placed in the top 11pc of all schools in the country.

Chairman of governors, Lesley King acknowledged the journey both the academy and the pupils have been on in her speech.

She said: 'We need to thank Ormiston Academies Trust who decided to take on sponsorship and have done so much to support the students and also the founding principal, Nicole McCartney, who bounded in with her American energy and her passion and belief that every child has the ability to be successful.'

'The academy teaching staff took the new challenge with vitality and hard work and developed the craft of the classroom to an art. At Venture we have one of the best teaching teams in the whole country.'

To the graduating class Mrs King said: 'We see a group of successful young people ready to go out to the world. You are a shining example, to show that all children have high aspirations and that they can achieve in the right environment.'

Gresham scholarship and gold sash awardee winner Jade Munro gave a speech on behalf of the class saying: 'With Ms McCartney's guidance we have all believed in ourselves enough to achieve the outstanding results we deserve.

She also thanked the staff added: 'It's been amazing working with them all so closely over the past few years and without their help I wouldn't be standing here telling you we yet again achieved the best results the school has ever seen.'

Executive principal Nicole McCartney expressed her pride at the successes of the students who made up her last class as principal at Venture.

She told them: 'You are head and shoulders above the rest. A student leaving Venture is a student who knows what excellence looks like. I know we will see great things from you in years to come.'

Principal Simon Gilbert-Barnham talked about the Venture spirit and what it means.

'It is in the goals you set for yourselves, the hard work you put in to reach them and the success you deserve. It is your style, it is your passion, it is your attitude, it is the way you seek out new horizons, it is your confidence, it is your resourcefulness and it is your triumphs.

'You achieve, you aspire, you create and you innovate.'

The ceremony was attended by Peter Murray, chairman of Ormiston Trust;

Director of Academies for Ormiston Academies Trust; Di Barnes, Ormiston Venture Academy Vice Chair of governors, Dr Paul Hann OBE and Principal of Ormiston Herman Academy, Kate Rutherford.