Pupils, parents, staff, Governors and guests gathered in Great Hall on Thursday 25th June for the Boys’ Division Summer Prizegiving, an occasion which celebrated the achievements, talents and contributions of pupils across the School during the 2025-26 academic year.
The ceremony opened with a musical introduction from Organ Scholars Justin Li, Derek Leong and Rith Narla, before Head of Boys’ Division, Mr Ford, welcomed guests and reflected on the year’s successes in his annual review.
Following an address by the Vice Chair of the Governing Body, Tim Taylor, guests enjoyed a piano performance by Jayden Cheung, before School Vice-Captain Nishan Sharma introduced the presentation of scholarships and prizes.
Awards were presented by Old Boy Philip Brickell (Class of 2004), Member of Parliament for Bolton West, who reflected on his own time at Bolton School and the lasting impact it had on his life and career. Speaking to prizewinners, he encouraged pupils to embrace determination, commitment and aspiration, drawing on the example of Roger Bannister's record-breaking four-minute mile. He also spoke about the importance of public service, kindness and resilience, urging pupils to grasp every opportunity that comes their way and reminding them that they are "the masters of their own destiny".
Among those receiving major awards were Nathan Pierson, who was awarded a Popplewell Scholarship and later received both the Riley Prize and the Bolton Grammar Old Boys’ Prize, and Adam Isaji, who was recognised with the Alderman Steele Prize and the Special Endeavour Prize. Other award recipients included Paul Leon McGuigan-Lazo, who received the Victor Lambert (Medical Studies) Prize, the Nightingale Prize for Values in Action and a Brooker Prize, while Charlie Simpson was recognised with the Baroness Morris Prize, the Metcalfe (Music) Prize and the Higginson (Art) Prize.
The ceremony also celebrated pupils' achievements across a broad range of disciplines. Awards were presented for Languages, Humanities, Science, Music, Art, Technology and Sport, reflecting the breadth of talent within the Boys’ Division. Scholarships were awarded to pupils demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, while a number of prizes recognised commitment to community service, leadership and all-round contribution to School life.
Watch Prizegiving 2026:
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