Josh Kane, 13, of Sudbury Upper School, has won a national award for his efforts.

Josh had to sign an agreement over his behaviour when he joined the course.

And he is one of only four teenagers to win a Rotary Young Citizen Award for his work on the week-long Fire Break scheme.

The course is aimed at youngsters who have been excluded from school or in trouble with the law.

An upper school spokesman said: "In the end, it is the work and approach of each individual which builds their success, and Josh deserves huge congratulations for his work in the scheme, as well as his work in school since completing the course.

"We are all proud of his achievement and his award."

Josh's mum, Lisa Verhaest, 43, said: "We were surprised to hear he had won at first as we did not know he had even been nominated, but we are so proud of him.

"Josh can be hyperactive but since the course teachers have said how much his behaviour has improved."

Fire Break gives youngsters the chance to spend a week at a fire station, learning skills including climbing ladders, rescue and using hoses.

Every student is made to sign their own agreed code of behaviour while on the course, which was funded by Sudbury Rotary Club and the Suffolk Education and Training Trust.

The citizenship awards ceremony was in Bournemouth last week.
John Phillips, of Sudbury Rotary Club, said: "Josh did well on stage and got a standing ovation from several thousand in the audience."

He was presented with a certificate and trophy and £500 which will go towards the Fire Break scheme.