A COVETED award for outstanding performance in physics has been presented to a student from South Craven School.

Rachael Jones, who is in year 12, received the Schools Physicist of the Year Award.

She picked up the award from Isla Stranger, of the Ogden Trust and Dr Gavin Burnell, of University of Leeds, at a ceremony in the university.

The accolade is offered each year by the Ogden Trust to top year 12 physics students.

A spokesman for South Craven School said: "Rachael’s citation from her tutor, Dr Jonathan Booler, praises her enthusiasm for the subject and her quick grasp of the concepts, which she enjoys explaining to others.

"She is determined to succeed, and always prepares for her subject by reading ahead of lessons. She is fully engaged in all the opportunities offered. "Nominations for this award are invited from all schools in the area and Rachael was chosen as one of the winners.

"She follows in the footsteps of another of our students – Sarah Fretwell – a former winner who is hoping to study physics at university this year."