Moat Hall toasting a double success

The talented pupils have progressed through three rounds between them to feature in the final shoot-out at the Football Association's national football centre.

The side consist of pupils from year five and six and are managed by year four teacher Rebecca Griffiths who, under her new guise as head of PE, is keen to allow them to showcase their sporting talents.

She said: "Because I teach year four, the kids in year five and six have seen me as just their football coach.

"That's helped. It's been brilliant. They've given me great respect. I'm so passionate about sport and I was delighted to be appointed to the PE role for this year.

"It's given the whole school a buzz, but especially for the girls. They had to go and play their district final knowing that the boys had already qualified, so the pressure was on them.

"It was great for them to come back and tell everyone they'd done it too."

The Cheslyn-Hay based school travel to Burton-upon-Trent on November 25 to compete in the county final.

Griffiths, who looks after the squad on matchdays, and Luke Jemson, who coaches at dinner times, have geared both squads up for their toughest test to date.

She said: "They all know that the teams that they're going to be against will have got through two stages, too. But I'm really really excited. It's been a great achievement.

"I've never done PE before, really, but I'm quite an active person. My dad is a scout for Swansea City, so it's strange for him that I'm doing so well.

"The kids and families have been great. They have supported it so well and been along to the games. I'm sure that they will all be there at St George's."

Headteacher Sue Winson has been a keen supporter and picked up the football bug. Griffiths said: "She's been really fantastic and got so into it.

"They have had her support all of the way. The kids love to impress the teachers and parents.

"Whether it's kids that play for teams or some that haven't played before. They're doing so well."