MORE than 460 Foxes Academy students, family, friends and staff gathered on Friday to celebrate the end of another year of achievements – and to say a fond farewell to principal Tracey Clare-Gray.

The graduation ceremony, held at the Crazy Horse venue in Butlin’s, was the last for Tracey who is leaving for a new role in specialist care and education.

Foxes, in Minehead, trains young adults with learning disabilities, preparing them for employment in the hospitality industry and helping them to live as independently as possible.

This year’s VIP guest speaker was Briony Williams, who was a stand-out star, semi-finalist and audience favourite from 2018’s ‘Great British Bake Off’.

Foxes’ 2018 graduates Harry Roberts and Luke Northmore also spoke, inspiring the leavers to follow in their footsteps and embrace the next stage of their lives.

Harry now lives independently and works in Bath at The American Museum and Gardens and a local café. Luke lives in Barnstaple and works at Premier Inn and also at Pall Europe in the works’ canteen.

The top three inspirational student awards were given to Stephen Lethaby, Alex Edwards,, who came second, and Alexander Warman in third place.

The full report and more pictures in this week’s Free Press (August 2).