SPORTY pupils at Elmley Castle First School are celebrating after reaching the final of a prestigious awards ceremony.

Two pupils and staff enjoyed a celebration of sporting achievement at Lord’s cricket ground after the school was nominated for the Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Award and made the final shortlist of three schools out of 500 originally nominated.

Oliver Neal and Rebecca Hickey, both nine, rubbed shoulders with stars such as Jessica Ennis, Will Greenwood, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards, Tom Daley, Ade Adepitan and Christine Ohuruogo, who presented the school with its third place and commended title.

She said: “What stands out about Elmley Castle School is its clear and underlying commitment to understanding that sport and PE play a vital role in the lives of our youngest citizens. What an amazing set-up with so many after-school clubs. No wonder the school enjoys so much success with its teams.”

The ceremony at Lord’s capped a triumphant year of sporting achievement at Elmley. After training sessions with coaches from Worcester Warriors, the tag rugby team won the county Finals of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme tournament.

Pupils also enjoyed bell boating success on the river with five-times Olympic canoeist Andy Train, the year 5 football team won the small schools football trophy, the cricket team made it to a Kwik Cricket semi-final and pupils won the Quicksticks Hockey Festival.

The school also had another reason to celebrate after being graded Good overall in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Headteacher Megan Thomas said: “The recognition from Ofsted gives us the confidence to improve even more.” The school is holding an open afternoon on Wednesday, December 5, from 1.30pm to 2.45pm.