EDGEBOROUGH pupils have had an impressive start to the school sporting year, with the under 13 girls’ hockey team becoming one of the eight best prep school teams in Britain.

The team recently competed in the IAPS National Hockey Finals, which they qualified for after performing well at the South region qualifiers. At the event, 16 prep schools had the opportunity to become National champions.

Everyone at Edgeborough School is delighted with the team’s achievement. Head of girls’ games Claudia Rafferty said: “We are incredibly proud of the girls and it is an honour to say our U13 girls’ hockey first team are one of the eight best prep school teams in Britain. Well done girls.”

Alongside the hockey team was Fleur Marren, 10, who attended the World Championship Biathle competition in Florida during the October half term.

She was selected for the GB team after qualifying at the regionals earlier in the year. The sixth person GB under 11s team competed in the 400-metre run, followed immediately by a 50-metre open water swim and then another 400-metre run.

Upon arriving in Florida, Fleur attended a training camp before taking part in the relay and individual events. She came fifth overall in the individual event and was the second Brit to cross the line. The first three GB times counted towards Britain winning an overall team gold.

Teacher Clare Marren said: “Fleur loved the whole process from beginning to end. Undoubtedly the best part was winning team gold and the most terrifying was open water swimming in a lake with eight feet alligators.”

Another pupil doing Edgeborough proud is Toby Roberts, who since joining the school’s climbing club four years ago has rapidly progressed thanks to his determination and desire to reach the top of whatever he is climbing.

Within the last year he has set the record for the hardest outdoor grades climbed as a British 10-year old. He recently conquered ­‘Revelations’ at Raven Tor which 35 years ago became the hardest outdoor route ever climbed.

Toby has also had a great year competing indoors in his age category becoming British champion in April 2016, then European champion in June 2016. He is the first British person to ever win at the European Youth Colour Climbing Festival in Imst, Austria.

Headmaster Chris Davies said: “It has been an outstanding term for sport at Edgeborough and I am delighted that our pupils have relished their challenges and succeeded to such a high standard.”