BILLERICAY School’s gym club overcame the odds to win a bronze medal at the national championships.

The school has never even reached a national final let alone won a medal.

And moreover, four of the school’s five-man team had not even taken part in gymnastics until just a few weeks before they won the county final.

While Jack Millham is an experienced gymnast, his team-mates Lee Luderman, Michael Paellotti, Bradley Pearman and Curtis Butler had never taken part in the sport themselves.

Their coach and PE teacher at the school, Sarah Burton, said: “Jack is the only member of a gymnastics club. The other four are freestylers, more used to running around outside doing what they want.

“That makes what they did even more amazing. It’s really, really pleasing.

“The hardest part was creating the routines for them. They are all used to doing what they want.

“I had to make sure they were finishing properly and pointing their toes. But most of them got it.

“They are amazing though. Some of them are used to doing somersaults on concrete. They’re mad, but they were absolutely fantastic.

“Most of the schools were up against were specialist gym schools so that makes their achievement even more special.”

Each gymnast had to perform a floor and vault routine.

The youngest team member was Butler (Year 8), with Jack Millham in Year 9 and the rest of the team in Year 11.