DOZENS of Southampton school children headed to a national awards ceremony - with one picking up a top prize.

The 14 pupils from Lord’s Hill and Mayfield Oasis Academies took a special trip to Birmingham for the national Oasis ‘Generation Celebration’ event - which saw more than 700 children from Oasis academies across the UK get together to celebrate their achievements

And presiding over the event was rugby world cup winner and England star Matt Dawson, who inspired the youngsters with his career.

Picking up the award for Arts and Culture was Lucy Allen, a Year 11 student at Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill who won the prize for “exemplifying the Oasis ethos through her musical and leadership skills”.

Head teacher Phil Humphreys said: “Lucy is not only a hugely talented musician, she is also determined to use her skill for others.

“Her organisation of a concert for the Red Cross shows both her compassion and her leadership ability. She actively encouraged her fellow students to think of others, and she exemplifies Oasis’s ethos to think about her local and wider community.

“Lucy is a credit to Oasis Academy Lord’s Hill, and should be very proud of her achievements.”

Oasis founder Steve Chalke MBE added: “Today was a wonderful celebration of what Oasis pupils and students all across the UK are achieving.

“We have heard about some superb accomplishments, young people excelling in the classroom, in sports and serving their local communities.”

“All of those who attended the awards today have an achievement to celebrate, and I hope that they will remember this day for many years to come. Particular congratulations to Lucy, who represented Southampton with pride.”