Barking and Dagenham’s top-performing GCSE pupils were each given a £300 grant to spend during their A-Levels at an awards ceremony held at Eastbrook School. 

The Colin Pond Scholarship Awards, now in their eighth year, are given to some of the borough’s brightest pupils who have decided to continue their studies locally.

In total, 64 young people from 13 local schools were awarded a £300 grant each to help with their A-level studies. Over 500 awards have now been handed out since the programme began in 2017. 

Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “It’s wonderful to be back here at the Colin Pond Awards. 

“Being able to reward these high achieving students that have decided to continue their studies in Barking and Dagenham is so important for us. 

"Our schools’ sixth form offer in the borough is excellent and continues to improve, and I hope we continue to grow the cohort of local students that stay in the borough beyond Year 11.”

Colin Pond was a councillor in Barking and Dagenham between 1998 and 2001 and had a great interest in education. Before his death in 2001, he left money in a trust to help the borough’s young people continue their studies. 

You can watch a short video of the event here.