A GROUP of inspirational Bradfordians have paid a visit to a Bradford school to pass on motivational advice to students who are currently studying for their GCSEs.

The Assembly of Excellence took place for Year 10 students at Grange Technology College in Little Horton, to try to encourage them to go the extra mile in their studies.

Grange is currently in special measures after an Ofsted report in June 2016 branded the school ‘inadequate’.

The guest speakers represented a variety of fields, including business, sport, religion and politics, and included young Imam Asim Hussain, writer and journalist Peg Alexander, business leader Sajad Hussain and boxer Tasif Khan, who currently holds three world-champion belts.

Imam Asim Hussain, 27, is a prominent religious leader and founder of the Al-Hikam Institute who has amassed thousands of fans on social media.

Peg Alexander is a radio and television presenter who has worked for the BBC and MadeTV, and is perhaps best known for her colourful hair.

Sajad Hussain is a well-known businessman and charity volunteer, who works with Islamic Relief and the Bradford-based In Touch Foundation.

They were all joined by 34-year- old professional boxer Tasif Khan, who currently holds the WBC Bantamweight, WBU Super Flyweight and GBU Super Flyweight belts.

The theme of the assembly was ‘Different and Better’, one of the school’s key mottos under its new leadership team as it aims to improve the school’s performance following being placed in special measures.

Each of the guests spoke to the 300-strong audience about their lives, and what has made them successful.

They also revealed how they achieved their varying goal, and the lessons that they have learned from their individual experiences, to try and inspire the students to aim for success in their exams to give them the best possible chance in pursuing future careers.

Following the talks, students were then given the chance to pose questions to the panel of guests, enabling them to gain further advice, guidance and motivation.

All the guests were invited due to their success in their respective fields and their links to the Bradford district, showing the students what they can achieve with the right levels of drive, determination and commitment.

Alison Mander, acting headteacher at Grange, said: “It was fantastic to bring in such an inspirational group of role models to meet the students and tell them their stories.

“This was all about raising aspirations. We want our young people to think about what is possible and how much their lives can be enriched by thinking creatively, pushing boundaries and working hard.”

The Assembly of Excellence is the latest in a series of events designed to improve the performance of the school.

In its latest Ofsted report earlier this year, inspectors found there had been some improvements at the school, in the standard of teaching and pupil attendance, although it identified there is still lots of work to be done, particularly in pupil outcomes.

The support Grange is receiving from Guiseley School was praised for providing “effective leadership”.