STAFF and students said they are proud to have been recognised at a national awards ceremony for inclusivity.

Maldon’s Plume Academy was runner-up for School of the Year at the Just Like Us Role Model Awards.

LGBT+ charity Just Like Us runs the awards to recognise individuals and institutions making outstanding contributions to tackling prejudice against LGBT+ people at school, university and in the workplace.

Plume Academy was nominated and shortlisted down to the final two schools.

The star-studded event’s special guests included This Morning’s Dr Ranj, The Only Way is Essex star Bobby Norris, Dancing on Ice professional skater Matt Evers and award-winning author Juno Dawson.

Stonewall champion and head of Year Nine Alison Ollett attended the ceremony as the school’s representative.

She said: “As the academy’s Stonewall champion, I am passionate about LGBT+ inclusion and feel extremely proud of all Plume staff and students for their support and input which has had a positive impact on LGBT+ students as well as developing a culture of acceptance within our community.

“This positive news comes in addition to the academy securing the Stonewall School Champion Bronze Award at the end of last term – a prestigious award that has effectively benchmarked our progress and gives direction to our ongoing work in tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, and celebrating diversity.”