PUPILS from a school in Southend which managed to stay open made the most of the snowy weather by holding a snow sculpture competition.

The year seven pupils from Westcliff High School for Boys, based in Kenilworth Gardens, competed in the sculpturing competition on Friday.

The boys were split up into teams based on their school houses.

The competition saw a host of interesting creations.

Pupils used their creative abilities to make their own castle, an ice jacuzzi, as well as a snow turtle, and even a sofa.

The winners of the competition received points for the house.

All points that they gain over the course of the year goes toward their annual Phoenix Cup, which is awarded in the summer term.

The cup is awarded to the best performing house from throughout the year.

Kerrie Mumford, assistant head at the school, said “It’s been a pleasure watching the boys demonstrate resilience and having great fun getting creative in the snow.”

Westcliff’s staff worked hard over the week to ensure that the school remained open, despite the huge amounts of snowfall that has hit south Essex and the rest of the country.

A team of volunteers were on site from the early hours of the morning, clearing snow from the paths to ensure the school was safe to be open.