Sgt Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross following his outstanding acts of bravery in Iraq, was the guest of honour at TheSchool’s annual Speech Day and Prize Giving held at Peterborough Cathedral this afternoon.

The Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor June Stokes, joined Governors, parents, staff and pupils to celebrate the School’s achievements over the last academic year and hear Sgt Beharry’s poignant address.

Headmaster, Adrian Meadows, reported on the academic, sporting and extra-curricular successes before prizes were presented to over 125 pupils.

Sgt Beharry then spoke of his upbringing in Grenada amidst great poverty before he moved to the UK and joined the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, serving in Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq.  Whilst in Iraq, on two separate occasions, he carried out individual acts of such bravery and heroism, despite sustaining very serious head injuries, that he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross in April 2005 by Her Majesty The Queen.  Sgt Beharry also spoke of his physical and mental rehabilitation following his life-changing injuries and the challenges which he has had to overcome.

Adrian Meadows said of the occasion:  “It is a privilege for me to be able to report on so many successes for the School since we were here last year and it is wonderful to see our boys and girls receiving their well-deserved prizes.  I am extremely grateful to Sgt Beharry for joining us and sharing his experiences which are almost unimaginable for us ordinary human beings to comprehend.  He is a true hero in every sense of the word and I know his words will have made a lasting impression on everyone today.”

The Headmaster's speech in full is available to read here.