An athletics team came fourth in the country after making the finals of a national tournament for the "first time in the school's history".
The Westcliff High School for Girls Year 7 and 8 team competed at the Northwood Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, in the English Schools Athletics Association National Track and Field Cup Final.
PE teacher Megan Richardson, head of Year 8, said their "hard work, dedication and amazing talent" was a credit to the school.
She added: "It was a true privilege to be taking the students to the national final for the first time in the school’s history. All students showed true determination during the whole event, behaved impeccably.
"A huge thank you must go to our sponsors NED Graphics and Wilson James for our wonderful kit."
The team, from the school in Kenilworth Gardens, Southend, competed in county and regional rounds. Despite coming second to Coopers’ Company and Coborn School in the regional final, they progressed to the final on Saturday after gaining the highest score - 423 points - compared to other competing schools.
In the final Guildford High School, in Surrey, came first with 472 points, Croydon High School, also Surrey, finished second with 459 points and The Coopers’ Company and Coborn School in Essex came third with 412 points. Westcliff ended the day with 406 points.
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