Seventy Braintree schoolchildren donned caps and gowns for an evening celebrating their extra-curricular achievements.

Pupils from Lyons Hall Primary School, White Court Primary School, John Bunyan Junior School and Bocking Church Street Primary School dressed up like graduates for the Essex Children’s University ceremony.

The event, held at Braintree Arts Theatre, last Tuesday, was organised by the children themselves to recognise their hard work and commitment to volunteering and participating in clubs and learning activities outside of school, as part of the programme.

Some 140 family members were in the crowd, while Braintree dance group, Portal Dance, performed and four pupils from Lyons Hall Primary School acted out a Shakespearean scene.

Former Beckers Green headteacher Judith Harvey, who organises the Children’s University in the area, said: “It was a brilliant evening, the children really enjoyed themselves and the parents were very proud."

See tomorrow's Braintree and Witham Times for a full spread of pictures.