PUPILS from reception year to year 11 at Alton Convent School have been put through their paces by Chelsea FC Foundation and Rhianne McHale, of Surrey Storm netball team.

Former England netball player Naida Hutchinson was also on hand to share her inspiring career story.

Both netball and football sessions focused on intensive fitness testing and talent development, enabling students to fine tune their ball handling and control, attack and defensive skills.

One year eight netball player said: “The skills I learned were really good and it made me realise how fit you need to be to play well.”

A school spokesman said it was “truly inspirational” watching professional players and seeing how they were able to engage and inspire pupils from across a range of ages.

Amanda Cowle, head of PE, said: “We are proud to be working with our world-class partners in sport. We are continuing to grow our sporting academy and competitive fixture programme across the prep and senior schools to enable our young sportsmen and women to the best they can be.”