A SCHOOL was paid a special visit this week when a former Great Britain ruby captain stopped by.

Sporting superstar Jamie Peacock attended Sedgefield Community College, in County Durham, earlier this week to inspire youngsters to be their best selves.

Mr Peacock is working in partnership with the Laidlaw Schools Trust to share the 30 Day Wellbeing Challenge programme.

With the sudden recent lockdown, Mr Peacock said he wanted to help schools to support their pupils and to empower young people to look after their mental and physical wellbeing.

He hopes the programme will motivate young people to 'discover your inner champion'.

In an assembly on Thursday, Mr Peacock talked about the importance of a positive mindset, sleeping well, physical activity and eating healthily.

He also spoke about the setbacks and challenges in his career and what he has done to overcome them.

In his career, he has won 11 Super League Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups, four World Club Challenges, was selected for the Super League Dream Team World Best 13.

Geoff Robinson, headteacher at the school said: "We are rolling out the Be a Champion wellbeing programme in part to try and address the impacts of the pandemic. We hope it will allow the students to be the best versions of themselves."

Following the assembly, Mr Peacock led a presentation at the school recognising their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of their students.

The school scooped a silver award in the annual Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Accepting the award head boy, Charlie Potts, said: "It means so much to receive this award. It's massive and we are going to continue to be better and improve."

Craig Hutton, deputy head teacher at Sedgefield Community College, was also given a special commendation receiving the award for digital innovator of the year.

He said: "It's a fantastic achievement and means a lot. It's five years of hard work in the making which the school has been recognised."

The names were announced to coincide with national Thank a Teacher day.

Sedgefield's silver award means the academy has the chance to win a gold award.

Winners of the final will be announced in the autumn.