SPORTY students at a school just outside St Albans have taken their talents to a national level. Pupils at Beechwood Park School in Markyate competed in everything from cross country to netball and football this term as part of the Independent Association

SPORTY students at a school just outside St Albans have taken their talents to a national level.

Pupils at Beechwood Park School in Markyate competed in everything from cross country to netball and football this term as part of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) national sporting competition.

Beechwood's under-11 netball team and the girls' hockey team both reached the IAPS final for the first time in the school's history and the Colts A rugby team also won through to the finals. Senior cross-country team captain Robbie Lightowler impressed by finishing in the top 30 out of 300 competitors.

Beechwood Park head teacher Patrick Atkinson said that he was proud of everyone's efforts: "We are delighted that our girls and boys teams have had such a successful season in several sports.

"They achieved these wins even though Beechwood's extensive grounds were covered in a blanket of snow for some time this term!