A HEADTEACHER has praised pupils for their sporting success in a cross country tournament.

Youngsters from the Federation of Abbey Schools came second in the annual Tees Valley Cross Country Final, held at the end of June.

The school’s head, Jonathan Briggs, said: “We sent a contingent of 11 runners along with representatives from other Darlington schools through to the finals.

“All the children from the town ran extremely well and our team came second overall.

“A special mention must go to Abbey’s Year Four boys, who not only came first, second and third in the Darlington race but also got the same positions in the Tees Valley final – a feat never achieved by any other school.”

The proud headteacher congratulated youngsters Hugo Douglas-Reeves, Bailey Palmer and Anton Palmer for coming first, second and third in the final respectively.

The Federation of Abbey Schools hosts a varied programme of sporting activities and hosts regular classes in gymnastics, Scottish country dancing and football.