Years of dedication by long-serving members of staff at Borehamwood's two secondary schools were recognised during a special awards ceremony last week.

Teachers and non-teaching staff who had spent 15 years at either Hillside or Hawksmoor received certificates from the Rotary Club of Elstree and Borehamwood.

The club chose to reward the staff for their hard work prior to the closure of both schools at the end of this term, after which the new Hertswood School will be opened.

A total of 12 staff from Hawksmoor and ten from Hillside were praised during the ceremony hosted by the Rotary Club at Saffron Green First School on Thursday.

Club president David Clout said: 'The club felt that community at large needed to say a big thankyou to those people who have dedicated years of service to the children of Borehamwood.'

One of the recipients was Ralph McCluskey, head of information and technology at Hawksmoor, who first arrived at the school in 1972. 'It was very nice to receive recognition for the time I have spent at the school, and I think everyone who attended the awards ceremony felt the same way,' he said.