DOZENS of students who picked up awards for their exam success have been told to “follow their dreams and aim high”.

Pupils from schools across the borough were praised for their GCSE achievements at an award ceremony at the Surma Centre in Hampstead Road on Wednesday. 

The awards, organised by the Bengali Workers’ Association, celebrate not only high achievers, but also students who have turned around their fortunes. 

Addressing the room of teenagers, deputy mayor Nadia Shah said: “It doesn’t matter what the music you listen to, whether is Skepta, Drake, Fetty Wap or bands like Muse, or even classical music, or you might like the latest Bollywood hits, or even if you prefer an Android phone to an iPhone, or whether you like Nike, Doc Martens or Guccis, the advice is the same: I urge you all to follow your dreams and aim high, as now is the time that you will start to shape your futures and you need to try hard, gain advice from your peers and elders and very importantly make level-headed and informed decisions. I promise you, if you do this you will be successful in your chosen paths, whatever it is.” 

The evening was organised the BWA’s Girls’ Leadership Project and youth co-ordinator Mariam Hassam said: “It was really nice to see the girls grow. When they joined they were so shy, they were totally new to it and they’re great girls and have developed so much.  It’s important to show them they don’t have to just stay closed and it’s important to mix."