DELIGHTED students from Dorchester took to the stage with Carol Vorderman after winning a top award.

They were presented with a Sustainable Schools Award for the work of the Thomas Hardye School’s Student Voice group.

Former Countdown presenter Miss Vorderman handed the trophy to the quartet, Thomas Hardye assistant headteacher Kaye Chittenden and ICT technician Mike Faulkner at the South West Teaching Awards.

Thomas Hardye pupils Douglas Mair, 16, Steven Rowe, 16, and Caroline Good, 15, represented the Student Voice group at the Assembly Rooms in Bath.

They were joined by Puddletown St Mary’s Middle School pupil Antonia Pullen-Clarke, 12.

She nominated Student Voice for the award after the group gave a presentation at her school assembly about carbon emissions.

Antonia said: “It was amazing.

“I was pleased that they won and I intend to join the Student Voice group when I start at Hardye’s in September.”

The Student Voice gave presentations at local schools after deciding they wanted to take part in the 10:10 project to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2010.

They also linked up with Jurassic Coast team and the Duchy of Cornwall as well as a school in Calgary, Canada.

Douglas said: “I was very pleased that the school’s and students’ work has been recognised.”

Steven said: “It was amazing. Carol Vorderman was really nice. We got her autograph for the maths department and intend to frame it.”

Caroline added: “It reflects really well on the school and shows that what we have been doing has been working.”

The group received a silver Plato award in the shape of a profile of the great philosopher.

The Sustainable Schools Award was the last to be announced – and all of the pupils went up, whereas previously it had been just teachers on stage.

Mrs Chittenden said: “We were all really excited and nervous.

“It was brilliant to win and the important thing is that the students deserved it.

“They put in all of the effort to win the award.”

She added: “I think the reason that we won was because our activities have involved more than just the school.

“We have done so much outreach work with other schools and have been embedded in the wider community.”

Now they are through to the national finals, which are due to be held in the autumn term, with gold Plato Awards up for grabs.

The Student Voice group got the 10:10 message across to schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership by doing a roadshow and asking pupils to sign up to a pledge.

They gave PowerPoint presentations and showed artwork about the damage being done to the planet.