A teenager from Dunmow is one of the first two students in his new school to merit a Jack Petchey Youth Award.

Henry Frasi, 17, a student at Sir Charles Kao University Technical College in Harlow, which opened in September, was honoured for being a diligent student popular with other pupils and staff.

The school is named after Sir Charles Kao, known as the Godfather of Broadband and the Father of fibre optics. It offers specialisms including medical technology and smart environments for 14 to 19-year-olds.

The Jack Petchey Foundation has awarded £200 to each of the winning students giving them the choice of how the money will be spent to benefit the school.

The awards, named after entrepreneur Jack Petchey, were established in 1999 and are available to programmes that benefit young people within London and Essex.

Henry and another student, Macey Stripling, 14, from Waltham Abbey, were awarded certificates in assembly by principal Michael McKeaveney.

Mr McKeaveney said: “These are two of our many outstanding students. Henry received a large number of nominations from students and staff, praising his hardworking and committed attitude.”

Henry, who studies BTEC Level 3 extended engineering, said: “Getting the award was a big surprise, as I thought that personally I would never get such a prestigious award. I didn’t feel like the work I did was out of the ordinary, but I’m happy to see that other students think it is worthy.”