A Kenilworth sixth former has been awarded a distinction in his London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Grade 8 Gold Medal examinations.

Ciaran Smith is one of four local sixth formers to have received the highest medal awarded by LAMDA, having taken their exams back in November.

He was joined by Olivia Ward, Ishbel Kempton and Elsie Kelley, all of Princethorpe College in Rugby in receiving their awards this week.

Ciaran impressed the examiner by performing with "real confidence, control and a mature understanding of texts" during his reading for Performance Grade 8 exam.

Ciaran created a recital on the theme of democracy using texts from The Hand that Signed the Paper by Dylan Thomas, Henry V by William Shakespeare and 1984 by George Orwell.

He wrote introductions and linking statements to all his chosen texts and answered questions on the writers and contexts in depth.

Lead LAMDA Teacher, Kathy Buckingham-Underhill, commented, "I am delighted to see these four young people completing their LAMDA studies on such a high. Congratulations to them all.

"Their hard work, diligence, ownership and understanding of the tasks involved has been amply rewarded. Their LAMDA teachers are proud of them all."

Achieving their LAMDA Gold Medal examinations means that all four students have also now also accrued 30 UCAS points towards their university applications.