A NORTH Swindon secondary school has been handed a prestigious award in recognition of the work it does to support young carers.

A number of pupils at Isambard Community School, in Redhouse Way, Redhouse, are registered carers and have responsibilities to care for members of their families from cooking, cleaning, and carrying out other tasks normally undertaken by adults far older than them.

Isambard has a comprehensive network in place to help support their young carers wherever they possibly can.

On Wednesday(Jul22) the school was presented with the Young Carers Ambassador School Award, which recognises this work.

It is now just one of four schools in Swindon which has received the award.

The award was presented to the school on Wednesday(Jul22) by Swindon Carers Centre development officer, Fiona Prirru (CORR), and to celebrate staff and students enjoyed a mini-festival.

Mrs Stella Rogers, learning resources centre manager at Isambard, said: "We have a number of young students here who manage to look after family members, cook, clean and take on tasks well beyond their years as well as managing to keep on top of their school work. We provide a support network in school and do all we can to help and support these admirable young people who we greatly admire.

"Swindon Carers Centre Development Officer, Fiona Prirru, presented the Young Carers Ambassador School Award to Isambard which is one of just four schools in Swindon to achieve the status.

"This is awarded to schools who have not only achieved all three standards of the Swindon Young Carer Award, but have become self-sufficient in their support for Young Carers and provide advice to other schools in the area.

"Isambard Community School goes above and beyond the award standards to ensure every single young carer is recognised, valued and supported.

"On Friday, July 22, the school held a mini festival at lunchtime in celebration of gaining the award. This well attended event featured some of the students acts which were part of the line up of the ICS-tival, a community festival held on the school field a few weeks ago."

To find out more about Swindon Young Carers visit www.swindoncarers.org.uk.