Twice champions in as many weeks!

Our Year 6 swimming team were once again had cause for celebration earlier this week having achieved outstanding results at the English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) 26th National Swimming Championships for Primary Schools 2022.

Having qualified for the championships at Bromsgrove School during the course of the Spring Term, five Year 6 girls, Lilly-Mae, Lara, Mia, Immy and Lucia headed to the finals held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield last weekend. The team from King’s St Alban’s was joined by twenty-one other schools from around the country. Competing in three heats for each event, the top eight schools went through to A Final whilst the second eight continued to a B Final. Displaying their outstanding skill and determination the King’s St Alban’s team qualified for the A final for both of our events, entering the Medley final with the fastest time and the 3rd fastest going into the Freestyle Final.

Crowned IAPS Medley Champions the previous week, the girls entered the finals with not only the technical skill to succeed but a positive mindset, a winning combination! The girls were placed 1st in the Open Schools Girls Medley Relay and 3rd in the Open Schools Freestyle Relay. An exceptional achievement in itself, the team were delighted to discover that they had won ‘Overall Girls Champions.’

King’s St Alban’s highly experienced Swimming Coach, Miss Woodger was thrilled to see the girls perform to the very highest standard, adding “I had extremely high expectations of the girls. There is no doubt that they have lived up to and exceeded those expectations; they should be very proud of their outstanding achievement.”

With an indoor swimming pool located on the King’s St Alban’s campus, pupils from Reception upwards benefit from weekly swimming lessons ensuring that both skill and technical ability are developed and enhanced throughout the school. Many of our pupils also attend the King’s Swimming Academy, open to all children from the age of 5 and run by Miss Woodger.

Congratulating the girls on their achievement, Mr Chapman, Head of King’s St Alban’s said “Wow! This really is an amazing and unprecedented achievement, I, together with the King’s St Alban’s community are so proud of you all.” Mr Chapman went on to say, “Given the relatively small size of King’s St Alban’s and the competition faced at both IAPS and ESSA, to be National Champions is incredible.”

Moving on to King’s Worcester in September, we are certain that the girls have a fantastic swimming career ahead of them. We look forward to hearing of their future successes.


30.06.22