Lt Gen David Leakey presents to Leehurst Swan prize winners

Leehurst Swan was honoured to welcome Lt Gen David Leakey CMG CVO CBE as their guest speaker for an inspirational Senior Prize Giving evening.

The event was opened with a welcome by Richard Thorp, Chair of Governors. Headmaster Stuart Morgan-Nash began his address and expressed that he was ‘extremely proud of Leehurst Swan School, and of the legacy that last year’s Year 11 have left behind.’

Speaking directly to the returning leavers, Mr Morgan-Nash remarked: ‘Your exam results in the summer were excellent and, in that respect, you are all prize winners.’

Introducing last night’s guest speaker for the evening, Mr Morgan-Nash said ‘he has lectured at Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, and now he can add Leehurst Swan School to that list!’

Lt Gen Leakey presented a fascinating, motivating and humorous talk about his experiences of almost 40 years in the British Forces and his role as Black Rod between 2010 and February 2018.

He finished by giving the leaving pupils some sage advice for the future. 'Firstly, eat well and sleep well. Then focus on three goals. One of these must be your chosen area of expertise, but then decide upon what you wish to achieve and work towards this. In doing so you will avoid the distractions of life that will consume you if you let them.'

The prize giving is a wonderful opportunity to review the past academic year with parents and pupils and celebrate the success of the pupils. It was a delight for the Leehurst Swan team to see the GCSE ‘Class of 2018’, to watch them receive their well-deserved prizes and to hear how well they have settled in their education beyond Leehurst Swan.