A student has created a little bit of sporting history for Toot Hill in Bingham and in the process underlined her emergence as one of the best junior long jumpers in the country.
After qualifying via a Nottinghamshire event in Newark, Year 11 pupil Phoebe Clayton won gold at the English Schools Athletics Championships in Manchester.
Phoebe, who is currently ranked third in the country in long jump for under-17 girls, secured Toot Hill’s first-ever gold medal at the championships with a jump of 5.91 metres.

“The past two weeks have seen the most notable performances of my athletics career to date,” said Phoebe. “Firstly, winning English Schools with a jump just shy of my personal best with 5.90 metres.”

That gave Phoebe the opportunity to represent England at the SIAB International Championships in Belfast and she showed her all-round talent by excelling on the track too. She’s currently ranked fourth in the country at 200 metres for under-17 girls and also competes competitively in the 100 metres.

“After placing second in the long jump and helping the 100-metre relay team secure a victory in Belfast, I now look to closing the season at the UK School Games National Final.
“My focus will then look towards securing the qualification standards for the Under-20 European Championships in both the long jump and sprint events.
“This journey began at primary school in the school’s cross country team where Amanda Hardy established my love for the sport and encouraged me to join Rushcliffe AC.
“Support systems from my specialist coaches have now been created which allow me to improve and continue enjoying the process as an athlete.”
Dr Chris Eardley, Head Teacher at Toot Hill – which is part of the Nova Education Trust – said: “Everyone at Toot Hill is so proud of Phoebe.
“She truly embodies our school ethos of ‘Work Hard, Be Kind, Take Pride’. To achieve gold at the National School Athletics Championships was a great achievement, but to then do it again at an international level is truly astonishing.
“Furthermore, Phoebe is an incredibly humble student and we wish her all the best for the future.”