Stourport High School hosted its Pyramid Oscars on Wednesday 25 June 2014 to acknowledge and reward hundreds of the school’s students.  Two attendance award ceremonies took place during the day to congratulate students achieving 100% attendance, with a further special awards ceremony taking place in the evening.

At the evening ceremony, students, parents and staff were delighted to be joined by ex-student Marcus Hayes, now a successful Solicitor, who was thrilled to be back at the school after 33 years!  After being born and raised in Stourport and attending at the school from 1978 to 1981, Marcus now heads up award-winning law firm, Mason Hayes, which is rated among the best in the UK and was a finalist at this year’s Manchester Legal Awards.  Marcus himself was shortlisted for the 2013 Law Society Solicitor of the Year award.  Marcus and his assistant, Jessica Eaton, also led workshops throughout the day for senior students whose ambition is to perhaps one day follow a legal career and become a Barrister or Solicitor.

Marcus attributes his success not only to hard work but to the support he gained from his parents, teachers at Stourport High School and his lecturers and mentors at the University of Sussex.  In acknowledgment of the help he received and to give something back, Marcus formed the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust in 2010 which now supports young people through the challenges of obtaining a legal education by way of mentoring, scholarships and work experience programmes.

On attending at the Pyramid Oscars ceremonies Marcus said: “It is an honour for me to be able to return to the town where my education began and be part of the tremendous work that Stourport High School does to help its students realise their dreams.  The Mason Hayes Charitable Trust, in partnership with the school, will now look at further ways in which we can help and support those wishing to enter into the legal profession to turn those dreams into reality.”

Mr Ian James, Deputy Principal at the school said: “Our thanks and gratitude go to Marcus for his time, kind words and inspirational outlook on life.  The school community was buzzing at the awards ceremonies and Marcus’ presence had a very positive effect on everyone in attendance. We now look forward to working further with Marcus and the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust and building on the success of today’s events.”