A ROYAL honour has been bestowed on Bolton School, which has received a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The award recognises best practice in volunteering work, which is the equivalent of getting an MBE.

Sue Hincks, headmistress of the girls division and Michael Griffiths, chairman of governors collected an engraved, commemorative crystal trophy and a certificate signed by Her Majesty at a special ceremony at Gorton Monastery.

They were presented by the Queen’s lord-lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren Smith and the vice lord-lieutenant, Paul Griffiths DL.

Pupils and students, aged 15-19, along with members of staff and alumni, support a range of organisations including local schools, hospices, hospitals, charities and community groups in and around Bolton as well as a lot of national and international voluntary work.

Volunteering work has included supporting a local food bank and the ‘Shine’ programme, which gives children from local primary schools the opportunity to participate in Saturday morning sessions at the school.

Miss Hincks said: “Pupils of all ages are offered the opportunity to volunteer as part of their personal development and it helps us integrate with all levels of the community.

“Pupils not only offer a service but can share skills and gain an understanding and mutual respect from within the wider community as a result of these volunteering initiatives.

“We’re thrilled to receive the award and hope it helps inspire others to volunteer and give something back to the community too.”

Lord-Lieutenant Smith said: “The school is a very worthy recipient and sets an excellent example for other schools in Greater Manchester to follow.

“The large scale of the volunteering achieved has been made possible through the imaginative use of pupils’ limited curricular and extra-curricular time in order to allow them to balance volunteering commitments alongside heavy academic commitments.

“Over the years we have met so many deserving groups who give their time freely for the benefit of others.

“The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a voluntary group.

“It was created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. We would encourage more organisations in Bolton to step forward and be recognised for the wonderful work they do.”

The closing date for nominations for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018 is September 15. For information on how to nominate a group, visit manchesterlieutenancy.org or gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service.