A SCHOOL in Hook has been crowned the national swimming champions following an exceptional performance.

Sherfield School became the small schools national champions at an event organised by the ESSA (English Schools’ Swimming Association) on Saturday, June 17.

The school's under-11 relay swimming team of Will, Aliza, Lachlan and Harry (all in Year 6) competed at the ESSA South East regional finals and won a place at the primary schools’ team relay national championships which were held at Ponds Forge Sports Centre in Sheffield.

READ MORE: Sherfield School records ‘exceptional’ GCSE results

The team were competing against 24 primary schools from across the country who had all qualified for the championships.

They achieved a six-second improvement on their mixed stroke relay to win a gold medal and a three-second improvement on their freestyle relay to win a silver medal with barely a fingernail distance between gold and silver.

School executive head Nick Brain said: “I am immensely proud of the collective achievements of four fabulous young students, who have supported each other so well and enjoyed national success in swimming.  A special thanks to their coach/teacher Michelle Matson for her tireless commitment and dedication.”