Ten students ranging from eight years old to 17 qualified from regional heats to represent LVS Ascot and the London West region at the finals, held at the London Aquatics Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, after honing their skills in the school’s own pool.

Having drawn inspiration from watching Rebecca Adlington achieve two Olympic bronze medals in the same pool at the London 2012 Olympics, 16-year-old Abbie Johnson from Ascot excelled with three Golds in the individual breaststroke, freestyle relay and medley relay. Ben Quirke, 14, from Windsor, added a further two Golds to the school’s tally, as did 12-year-old Joe Horstead and Holly Gardiner, 15.

Further medals were added by 17-year-old Matthew Ritchie, from Staines, and Junior School students Jansen Barralet, 11, and Archie Gardiner, 10, to emphasise the depth of talent at the school.

Jansen, who also swims at Bracknell & Wokingham Swimming Club, said: “I swim in LVS Ascot’s pool several times a week which really helps me to improve. I would like to represent Team GB one day so I need to keep practicing.” The LVS Ascot swimming squad competing at the Olympic venue last month was completed by 12-year-old Edik Shaw, Laura Ward, and the school’s youngest entrant, eight-year-old Rodrigo Oxley.

With swimming instruction forming an essential part of Key Stage One or Two in the national curriculum, LVS Ascot’s indoor pool provides all students with the opportunity to not just become confident, strong swimmers but also to excel at the sport – borne out by the team success in London.

LVS Ascot PE teacher Anna Murawska said: “It was amazing to see the pupils achieve medals at such an awesome venue in recognition of all their commitment and hours of training in the LVS Ascot pool. “With all our students seeing the success achieved in London and having access to the pool themselves, hopefully even more of them will be able to qualify for the finals next year.”