PUPILS have conquered several medals and qualifications in championships across the country.

Ulverston Victoria High School (UVHS) students joined the English Schools Fell Running Championships held at the school and Giggleswick three weeks ago.

Ulverston High had 14 students running on the day in a very competitive field against secondary schools across the country. It attended the event with other local schools such as Kirkbie Kendal School, Queen Katherine School, Dallam and Queen Elizabeth School.  

Performances of the day went to Noah in year seven, who came in second place.

He was closely followed by fellow year seven Theo who came in fourth place and then Seth, who in his first race finished mid-field.

International athlete Jess Bailey from Year 12/13 came back from over six months of injury and, running her first fell race in a year, also came in second place. The runner who beat her was the World Mountain Running Champion.

In addition, on Friday October 7, the school had a team of 20 swimmers across five teams in the North West Schools’ Swimming Relays in Liverpool - the qualifier for the English Schools’ Finals to be held in November.

The UVHS team gave its best and came away with three team medals, including a gold, silver and a bronze.

The senior girls won gold in their four-times 50-meter freestyle race, beating the next school by three seconds. They also took silver in the medley. 

The senior boys' team took the bronze medal in the medley.

Of the 20 swimmers, 19 came from the local Ulverston Otters Swimming Club and one from Barrow ASC.

Assistant Headteacher Richard Butler said: "These are phenomenal performances from our students, and to have so many talented individuals with the ability to compete on the national stage across just 2 sports is amazing.

"I am so proud of the achievements of all students at UVHS, but so many are working at such a high standard both inside and outside the classroom across so many areas it can really be a humbling experience working here.

"However we must not forget all of the dedicated staff who enable such a varied programme of activities to take place and enrich the lives of our youngsters – in this particular case Mrs Hayton, who led both the fell-running and swimming teams ."