Five students from St Margaret Ward Catholic School and Arts College, in Tunstall, will find out next week that they have been put forward for the honour.

Each of them will receive a certificate signed by Robbie himself, who has also penned handwritten messages of congratulations from his Los Angeles home.
The overall winner will be presented with the inaugural Robbie Williams Award by the singer's mum, Jan.

The idea has grown out of Robbie's ongoing links with St Margaret Ward, which he attended as a pupil back in the 1980s. Over the years, he has stumped up tens of thousands of pounds to go towards the school's specialist facilities for dance, drama and music.

His Give It Sum charity has also supported a performing arts group for adults, which meets at the school. But Robbie's family say the latest development is his way of spurring on youngsters who face exceptional challenges in life.
Their battles could range from personal crises at home to coping with disabilities. The award will go to someone who has managed to succeed against the odds. It will be handed out at the school's prizegiving evening on Thursday, which is being held at the Victoria Hall in Hanley.
Jan Williams, who used to be a governor at St Margaret Ward, said: "Robert has retained a genuine interest in the life of his old school, where there are dedicated dance and drama studios already carrying his name.
"This unique award has been designed personally by Robert in collaboration with the school, and he strongly believes it's important to encourage young people to have confidence and self-belief to ensure they can overcome some of the unexpected challenges which come their way.

"By continuing to make this award available, we hope to see pupils aspiring to be nominated year by year."

St Margaret Ward will also be presenting a variety of other awards on the night, recognising everything from young people's contributions to the environment through to their enterprising work and artistic or musical talents.
Jo Blagg, St Margaret Ward's arts college manager, said pupils from any year group would be eligible for the Robbie Williams Award. Two of the five nominees this year have just completed their GCSEs. She said: "The impact the award will have on the individuals will be profound.
"We sent the certificates to Los Angeles to get Robbie to sign them – they have all come back and he's put little comments on them as well as signing them."

Источник: http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/education/Chase-dreams-Robbie-tells-pupils/article-325062-detail/article.html