INEQUALITY at Peebles High is going, going, gone, after the school smashed its fundraising target to ensure no student is left behind when it comes to educational excursions.

The school held a fundraising auction to bring down the hammer on pupils missing out due to financial difficulty.

Parents and staff, with the help of the community and local businesses, kept their promises – raising in excess of £10,000 on Friday evening. It is the highest amount raised in the school in more than six years.

Funds from the Promise Auction will mean that no pupil is forced to wave their peers off because they couldn’t afford to join them on school excursions.

This is part of the school’s ambition to ensure educational attainment and wellbeing is for all and speaks to one of the school’s core values of justice.

The whopping sum was raised through a silent auction and raffle held in the school last Friday evening.

Guests were treated to music by the school’s own ceilidh and jazz bands as well as the up-and-coming St Ronan’s Futures Orchestra.

The auction was compered by Scott Noble and the auctioneers were a hilarious double act of head teacher Campbell Wilson and St Ronan's Primary head Keith Bellville.

Food was prepared and served by the young people of Tweed Youth Action catering team, lead by Dave Hodson, known as 'Food Punks'.

Mr Wilson said: “This truly was a genuine team effort. I cannot thank our Parent Council, my colleagues, students, my own family and all our community enough for working so hard to make this such a success for our young people. Peebles High is one of the highest attaining schools in the country and today it is now even fairer than ever to all.”

Raffle winners will be notified by the school and the online/live auction winners have been emailed – payments should be made directly to the school office. Telephone 01721 720291.