A SCHOOL near Worcester has a double reason to celebrate.

Pupils at Abberley Hall in Great Witley, which has just marked its centenary year, has announced that 51 pupils have received scholarships - a record-breaking number in the school’s 100-year history.

The pupils scooped scholarships for their academic, sporting, art, design, technology, drama and musical skills and talents.

These final year pupils, aged 13, will now take up places at some of the country’s leading independent schools.

Headmaster Will Locket hailed the children’s achievement as "amazing" and said that the announcement was the perfect conclusion to a very successful year.

"We have hugely enjoyed marking Abberley’s centenary and the news that 51 of our children have won scholarships, awards and exhibitions is a fitting end to a wonderful 12 months of celebrations," he said.

"As always, these candidates thoroughly deserve to be recognised with these awards which were achieved in a highly competitive field.

"They come as a result of a great deal of hard work over a considerable period of time and I am extremely proud of their amazing achievements.

"I also want to pay tribute to our dedicated Abberley staff who also put a great deal of time, care and expertise into preparing pupils for their exams; it is extremely rewarding for us all to see this spectacular level of success."

The school has around 300 boarding and day pupils aged between two and 13.

The accolades have been awarded by a range of top establishments including Shrewsbury School, Rugby, Oundle, Millfield, Kings Worcester, RGS Worcester, Malvern College, Hereford Cathedral School, Cheltenham College, Lucton School, Bromsgrove School and Moreton Hall.