Caring Sofia takes top Sheffield community award

Sofia Sajid of Sheffield Park Academy took centre stage at the ‘Inspiring Youth Awards,’ beating students from across South Yorkshire to be announced the overall winner.

Park Academy pupils featured heavily in the awards which are open to 13 to 17 year olds with the aim of helping them to build skills and improve their education.

Year 10 student Sofia took both the ‘Best of the Best’ Gold Award, and the top scorer’s award, in recognition of her activities helping others.

She supports homework clubs at local primary schools, ‘buddy’ reads with younger students and helps with a weekly ‘Run in the Park’ at Graves Park in Sheffield.

Academy student Leo Balli also had 15 minutes of fame, with his speech to 300-plus guests who included local dignitaries the Lord Mayor, High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire.

Craig Dillon, headteacher at Sheffield Park Academy said: “None of this would have been possible without the eight months of dedication and hard work put in by our own Ann Bailey, the academy’s Learning Resource Centre Manager, as well as students.

“It was a real privilege to see our pupils showing what is possible with hard work and determination.”

Park Academy successes included: Salma Begum - High Sheriff’s Special Award, Abigail Kirk and Yasmin Begum - Inspiring Youth Silver Award, Ikra Amin and Sofia Sajid - Inspiring Youth Gold Award, Ikra Amin and Yasmin Begum - CPD Award Qualifying Credits.

Other winners from the academy were Amber Eaton, Samia Mahmood, Hussein Nejad, Zarka Saleem, Harrison Silvester, Charlotte Thacker, Leo Balli and Bismah Zubair.