Greg Davies surprises students at his former school as they celebrate success
Greg Davies has surprised pupils at a Shropshire school as the special guest at an evening celebrating exam success.
The TV comic and star of The Inbetweeners, Cuckoo and Man Down, handed out certificates at Thomas Adams School in Wem last night.
The comic, who studied at the school in Lowe Hill Road in the 1970s and 80s before embarking on a teaching career, stunned pupils as he entered the hall.
Around 100 former Year 11 pupils saw the comic hand out over 300 certificates and give a speech recalling his years at Thomas Adams.
Assistant headteacher Spencer Radford arranged the surprise guest speaker.
He said: "I am delighted Greg accepted my invitation to return to the school where he was educated and give up his time during a very busy schedule.
“He had a tour of the school and spoke fondly of his memories and teachers.
“It is fantastic that our former Year 11 pupils, who achieved great successes in the summer examinations, had the chance to be inspired by him.
“It has widened their horizons for their futures and hopefully they will all go on to be incredibly successful in their own right.
“I look forward to being able to invite some of them back as our 'special guests' in due course."
Mr Davies handed out certificates including the House Special Award for growing in confidence and communication skills and getting involved in a variety of activities, which went to Callum Hilditch.
The Annie Platt Salver for Mathematics award went to Alanis Anderson, the Gareth Utting English Cup, only the second year it has been presented, was handed to Josh Towers and Louisa Pickard was named the winner of the David Breeze Salver for Science. All three students showed determination, progression and success in the subjects.
The winner of the Lee Smith Memorial Award for farming and animal care was named as Oliver Whitehead and Dan Smither and Ellis Hickson were handed the Prefect Salver award.
In honour of the surprise guest speaker for this year’s event the inaugural Greg Davies Performing Arts Awards was also given out. Rosie Talbot was the recipient, a focused, reliable and highly professional cast member in all school productions.
Beth Ellis, Lauren Fisher, Grace Griffin, Louisa Pickard, Beth Price, Megan Day and Euan Sargant were named outstanding academic achievers as they scored the highest GCSE grades.
Megan Day gained 9 A*s and 2 As while Beth Ellis achieved 8 A*s, 1 A and 1 B, as well as representing England at fencing.
Overall GCSE results at Thomas Adams School showed 72% of all grades were C or above, with almost 20% at A* and A.
In addition, more than 10% of students gained an A* in maths.
Headteacher Elizabeth Dakin said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the success of students.
“This is always a very happy occasion and it is good to see so many of our former pupils, many of whom chose to stay on and study for their A levels here at Adams College.
“The fact that Greg Davies could be there to hand out the awards made it all the more special for them and we are glad they enjoyed the evening.”
