Not everyone's school speech day will have had a guest speaker who received a standing ovation from all present, but King's School in Gloucester did.

Then again, not every school has a speaker with the gravitas and humour of Simon Weston, CBE, the former Welsh Guardsman who suffered life-changing injuries in the Falklands War in 1982.

Since then the ex-serviceman, who also served in Northern Ireland and East Germany, has gone on to win the respect of the nation through his campaigning, writing, and public speaking.

More than 600 pupils and teachers and 400 parents and guests listened in awe and rose with enthusiasm to thank him for coming to address them all at the Gloucester school's speech day, held in the nearby Cathedral.

"What will I tell the young people? I don't think there is any one key message, but to be happy and live your life.

"Be confident in your ability and if you have not achieved what you have wanted when you wanted to have achieved it, do not give up.

"You may not be ready today, but tomorrow may be your day. It is all about how you invest in yourself and work hard, how you go out and try to perfect what it is you are trying to achieve," Mr Weston told Punchline-Gloucester.com before his speech to the school.

David Morton, who became the 39th head teacher in King's School's 475-year-old history, is the man responsible for bringing the iconic figure before his pupils.

"It is my first year at King's School. I wanted to find someone who could put across the kind of characteristics we want our pupils to have.

"Simon's story is of one of resilience, of overcoming adversity - one we hope is relevant to all our pupils, whether they be first years or sixth form leavers."

But is was not just about Mr Weston, of course.

There were prizes and awards-a-plenty - for achievement, industry and all-round contribution, academic achievement, practical and extra-curricular activities, examination results curriculum enrichment, challenges, commendations, compositions, exhibitions, performances, drama, scholarships, sporting prowess and the achievements of the Cathedral Choir.

For Mr Morton one of the highlights of the year had been the recent three-night sell-out performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by pupils from the school at the city's Guildhall, directed by Dr Mike Craddock who is retiring from the school after 26 years.

He was also able to hint at big plans ahead for the school which would also benefit the wider community, including a new astro-turf hockey pitch and a new sixth form centre.

"We have some really exciting plans which we hope will broaden our links with the city and community. We want to make sure we are rooted in the city and in Gloucestershire," said Mr Morton.

Punchline said: What an inspired choice to speak to young people. Simon Weston proved inspirational. He has a great sense of humour and an honest, positive perspective on life and seems only to be able to speak common sense. As we said, inspirational.