AMBITIOUS and talented youngsters have been recognised for their hard work and dedication in a special awards ceremony held by Villiers Park Educational Trust at the Steam Museum on Thursday night.

The students were all part of the Villiers Park Scholars Programme, which aims to give opportunities to talented young people from less advantaged backgrounds.

The programme, which came to Swindon in 2010, works with schools and colleges from all over the UK to develop students’ skills and attitudes, boost their exam grades and help them apply for university.

Richard Gould, chief executive of Villiers Park, said: “We have identified a group of young people who we believe have a high academic potential.

“Here at Villiers Park we try to focus on character development and building students’ confidence and we can be extremely proud of our scholars and what they have achieved.”

It is thought that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are two and a half times less likely to enter higher education than those from more prosperous backgrounds and Villiers Park’s aims to address this imbalance.

The event, which was attended by Swindon's Mayor councillor Eric Shaw, saw more than 100 young scholars receive a Gold Standard Award and four students – Lakshya Gopal from the Commonweal School, Chloe Newbury from Churchfields Academy, Josh Drinkwater from Lydiard Park Academy and Charlotte Osborne from New College – receive the prestigious Mike Baker Scholar of the Year Award.

Sarah Chick, programme director, said: “It’s not easy to achieve a Gold Standard Award. Every single one of the students sitting in this room tonight is an example of our success here at Villiers Park and we’re all extremely proud of all of them.”

Ben Tubb, 16, of Old Walcot, who studies at New College, said: “I have been on the scholar’s course for three years now and I’ve found the entire experience very useful.

“It serves as an excellent addition to my CV and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Ellie Lovejoy, 19, of Old Town, who went on to study English and History at York University after completing the programme last year, said: “For me, Villiers really came into its own when I was in sixth form.

“It gave me a real sense of direction and made me realise I wanted to do English at university.

“I never wanted to move to the north of England, I wanted to stay at home, but I’m glad that I did. Thank you very much Villiers Park for opening my horizons when all I really knew about was Swindon.”

James Phipps, CEO of Excalibur Communications, who sponsored the programme and funded the awards night, said: “It’s truly humbling and very inspiring. I think sometimes there is a lot of negativity around young people and it’s amazing what they have achieved.”

He told the young scholars: “There’s an incredible set of talented people in this room and if any one of you came to me for a job I would be happy to have you because you’re amazing – the best of the best.”