Brighton school celebrates students’ sporting and enterprising excellence

A Brighton school celebrated the sporting success and entrepreneurial excellence of its students at a prizegiving ceremony this evening (Wednesday 2 July).

The Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) held its first Sports and Entrepreneurship Awards at its Falmer campus.

Head teacher Dylan Davies welcomed hundreds of pupils and parents who packed the main hall.

He said: “For me tonight is the culmination of the year and celebrates all that is best in our academy.”

Teams as well as individuals won praise including Sussex table tennis champion Emma Sheen and Stephen Ferroni, who has represented England at cross-country. Both are aiming for the Olympics.

Among those singled out were the sports leaders who organise the inter-house competitions for their fellow students and the GCSE dance students who coach and mentor children at Fairlight Primary School.

BACA head of sport Stuart Townsend also thanked one of the school’s football squads for showing dedication in turning out for regular 7.30am training sessions.

One of the first intake at the Aldridge Cricket Academy, Shaun Page, was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Three fellow enterprising sixth formers, who set up a business called Vpods, were also applauded having won Best Product at the Young Enterprise Awards.

Connor Daly, Alexander Van Oers and Kynan Kell, who form part of a bigger team, were also named runners up in the Best Business Performance category for the educational business.

They have been training others to take over Vpods, with two of the three heading off to university in the autumn.