KING John School’s girls cross-country teams have been praised after they won all three prizes at the Castle Point and Rochford Schools Cross-Country Championships.

The Year 7, Years 8 and 9 and Years 10 and 11 teams all topped their leaderboards and the girls were crowned overall district champions for the first time in the school’s history.

PE teacher Leigh Cann was full of praise for her pupils, saying their success was a testament to the hard work they put in.

She said: “This is the first year that we have won all three age group competitions. “The girls were crowned overall district champions. All of the girls work so hard in training and are so committed. They are a pleasure to work with and deserve their success.”

The Year 7 girls team set the tone by completing a clean sweep of podium places.

Sophie Wetheridge was victorious with Lucy Brewster in second and Hollie Rex third. Victoria Walsh Herranz completed the scoring team in eighth place. Also running well were Niamh Donnelly, Lily Brewster, Evie Dorrington and Rebecca Lacey, all running in their first district championships.

In the Year 8/9 race, Abby Rex led the team home in third place, one spot ahead of Yasmin Robinson, while Charlotte George (seventh) and Genevieve Pate (ninth) completed the team. Hannah Mickelburgh-Gardham, Jade Saliba, Chloe Wells, Nicole Rutter and Charlotte Clubb also ran well.

Niamh Smith led the senior team home, despite still being a Year 10 pupil, with Kiera Tippett (sixth), Emily Warren (seventh) and Sophie Jones (11th) completing the team. Jordan Clarkson, Abigail Taylor, Briony Findlay, Francesca Williams, Zoe Gutteridge and Jordan Castle also ran well for the school.