Pupils at Laleham Gap are flying high after receiving a personal message from retired astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Paul Ursell, who teaches science at the Ramsgate school, had contacted the renowned Canadian and his team to tell him how importantly the school took inspiring pupils about science.

Hadfield, who famously sang Bowie classic Space Oddity during a five month trip to the International Space Station, wrote on a photo: "To Mr Ursell and his students...aim high - the sky is not the limit."

"I am really pleased," Mr Ursell said.

"It is great for the science we do at this school to be recognised in this way.
"And I totally agree with Chris. I think it is really important for our pupils to be inspired, to see the potential in science, to reach high and to see that many of the things that we think limit us can often be overcome.

"It does take resilience and effort, and hopefully education can inspire our students to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams."