Headteacher’s praise for pupils after traumatic year

Teenagers at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds staged a Come Dine with Me-style event and sang You Raise Me Up and Let It Go before a dinner cooked and served by pupils.

Headteacher Steve Mort thanked guests who had supported the school earlier this year when Spanish teacher Anne Maguire, 61, was stabbed to death in front of pupils.

Teenage pupils prepared a Spanish-themed meal for guests including former Leeds Rhino Keith Senior and Henrietta Duckworth, executive producer of the Yorkshire Festival which celebrated the Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

Pupil Shanese Youngs, 13, who served food and performed on stage, said: “We were a bit scared of dropping food but it has gone really well and given us confidence. We learned the songs and lunchtime rehearsals to polish the performance.”

Headteacher Mr Mort said: “Our wonderful students have surpassed all our expectations. They are an absolute credit to themselves, their families and the school.”

* A student, 16, has admitted killing Mrs Maguire, a court heard last week, but did not admit murder. A trial on the murder charge has been set for November.