Pupils and staff from Balsall Common Primary School Academy have gone the extra mile - well 1,000 extra miles to be precise - to support this year's Children in Need campaign.

The school community, swam an impressive 1,000 miles, raising an incredible £1,578 for the charity.

Over the course of five weeks, 630 pupils from Reception to Year 6, alongside staff, dove into the challenge at our own swimming pool.

Working together, they swam the equivalent of 124,578 lengths, demonstrating, determination and a commitment to helping other children that are in need.

The school's efforts culminated in a celebratory assembly where pupils were congratulated for their swim contributions by the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Shahin Ashraf, and the total amount raised was announced to a big round of applause.

Cllr Ashraf said: "I want to say a huge congratulation to all the pupils of Balsall Common Primary School Academy for completing their 1,000 miles' swim challenge.

"This is a fantastic achievement and it is brilliant that their collective effort, determination and resilience has also been in support of such a worthy charity." 

The mayor continued: "Thank you to the teachers, parents and carers who have supported all 630 pupils to complete this challenging task.

"And thank you to the pupils – your hard work will make a huge difference to the children and families that Children in Need support. Keep up the good work!"

Headteacher Mark Mitchell said: "I am so proud to be the Headteacher of a school where the staff and children are so passionate about making a difference to others, exemplified through our attempt to swim 1,000 miles through the month of November for Children in Need.

"What a fantastic team we have here at Balsall Common Primary School."