THE achievements of 70 students have been honoured at an awards ceremony at The Oxford Academy.

The school used the academic awards evening to show the city how much it has improved.

The academy, which was put in special measures in January after failing an Ofsted inspection, saw the percentage of pupils achieving five A* to C grades at GCSE including English and maths leap from 26 per cent last year to 42 per cent this summer.

The school, in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, was also told by Ofsted inspectors last month after a second monitoring visit that “reasonable progress” was being made.

On Thursday pupils’ achievement in 14 different subjects was honoured, including the Professor Marcus du Sautoy award for excellence in maths to Cian McCormack, the Beecroft physics award received by Rumbi Humba, and the Baroness Warnock history award presented to Amber Giles, all aged 15.

Amber said: “This is a real achievement for me as I like history. Hard work pays off.”

The Cowley Deanery Award for making a difference in the community, presented by the Rev Canon Bruce Gillingham, went to 14-year-old Reuel-Eli James for his efforts to save a family, their cat and their house from a fire.

He stopped the fire spreading but was too modest to talk about his bravery.

Charisma Liu, 13, received the Bishop of Oxford award for services to the community from the Rt Rev John Pritchard, the Bishop of Oxford. As well as representing the academy on student interview panels and hosting international visitors, Charisma is one of nine Oxford Young Ambassadors, recruited to promote higher education among her family and peers.

She said: “I feel very privileged to receive this award.

“I try my best to achieve what I can in and out of school.”

Ryan Clune, 14, told the audience of families, staff and guests: “The academy is getting better by the day and will continue to do so.

“It is continuously trying new things in order to help students.”

The Oxford Diocesan Board of Education award for religious education was presented to Katie McCormack, 13, by Anne Davey, vice chair of governors and director of education for the Diocese of Oxford.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Dee Sinclair, presented the award for outstanding commitment to learning to Caitlin Dickerson, 15, and Johnny Roberts, 16, for consistently working hard across all subjects and acting as ambassadors for the academy.

Headteacher David Brown said: “This year has been fantastic for the academy with results improving and strategies embedded to ensure continued success.”

The Oxford Music Singing Group, made up of students and staff from the academy, opened and closed the event with renditions of The Greatest Day by Take That and Sing by Gary Barlow.