OVER 1,100 people came together for a special church service to celebrate a school in Bournemouth.

Bournemouth School for Girls marked its annual Founders Day at Richmond Hill St Andrew's United Reformed Church yesterday (DEC13) with the help of past and present pupils and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, Cllr Eddie Coope and his wife, Janet.

The event's guest of honour was Camilla Marcus-Dew, a former BSG pupil, who co-founded The Soap Co, a luxury soap brand and social enterprise supporting people who are blind, disabled or disadvantaged.

Alistair Brien, head teacher, said: "Founders' Day is a wonderful opportunity to join together to celebrate the many successes both at school and individual level."

Pupils were presented with the A-Level certificates by the Mayor of Bournemouth, while GCSE certificates were handed over by the Mayoress of Bournemouth and Jane Stitchbury, CBE, who is chair of governors at the school, gave out the Duke of Edinburgh Award certificates.

Songs, hymns and recitals were performed by many pupils as part of the ceremony.