Highfield and Brookham's record medal haul at National Championships

Athletes from an independent school in Liphook have secured a record medal haul at a prestigious national meeting.

The seven talented competitors from Highfield and Brookham Schools picked up five medals between them in the National Prep Schools Athletics Championships at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

The one gold, one silver and three bronze medals is the biggest return that children at Highfield and Brookham have had at the championships, which are the pinnacle of prep school athletics each year.

And it comes hard on the heels of news that five Year 8 leavers from the thriving prep school on the border of Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey secured sports scholarships to some of the country’s leading senior schools.

In Birmingham, Emily Sherlock struck gold in the U14 girls’ triple jump with a winning leap of 10.30 metres but had to settle for silver in the U14 girls’ 100m in a time of 12.45 seconds having been fastest qualifier in the heats.

Valentina Rollason secured a bronze medal in the U13 girls’ high jump by clearing 1.35m, missing out on gold by just 11 centimetres, and Tiggy Walder claimed bronze in the U12 girls’ 1500m in a time of 5.26.04.

And Millie Valentine completed Highfield and Brookham’s impressive haul by winning a bronze medal in the U12 girls’ shot putt event with a throw of 6.94m, which was good enough for third place and only an agonising eight centimetres behind the gold medal winner.

Completing Highfield and Brookham’s septet at the iconic Alexander Stadium, Clemmie Coller, Cristo Porter and Imogen were just outside the medal places – Clemmie finishing fifth in the U12 girls’ 800m in a time of 2.44.78, Imogen Knight placing sixth in her U13 girls’ 1500m heat and Cristo placing eighth in the U13 boys’ 1500m in 5.08.97.

Highfield and Brookham Head Suzannah Cryer said: “We have such a wonderful array of talent in all areas of school life, such as academia, art, dance, drama and music, and I’m delighted to say that sport is well and truly in that list too.

“Throughout the year we reflect on the amazing sporting achievements of our children at both internal and external events and the success of our boys and girls in Birmingham is a great example. It really is testament to both the ability and desire of our children and the excellent coaching and support that they receive from our dedicated teaching staff.”