The Greater Manchester school where future sports stars are made

At St Peter's R.C High school in Longsight, it isn't just attendance and grades that make the school shine, but an impressive and long list of sporting achievements.

With the girls' rugby league team having won 12 national titles and students performing well at many regional athletic competitions, this year there is one group in particular that stands out among the many high performing pupils at the school.

The school's Year 8 boys' football team has had an 'amazing run', winning four trophies across the region.

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The pupils have managed to pick up the Manchester Cup and County Plate alongside winning the Manchester Premier League and an emerging talent tournament put on by Manchester United.

The kids' success doesn't come as a surprise to the PE staff at St Peter's - made up of five dedicated teachers - with the school having produced some big names across football, basketball and athletics.

Ex pupils include Marvin Kaleta who is now at Wolverhampton Wanderers, local lad Dan Gardner who played for Oldham Athletic and John Efoloko representing team GB at athletics, with their teachers supporting them along the way all through their time at the school.

Teachers and admin staff at the Kirkmanshulme Lane school were quick to praise the Year 8s sporting feat, which is having a knock on effect in the classroom.

PE teacher Simon Perry, who has been teaching for 23 years and is in charge of all the school's football teams, has seen the impact football has had on the group.

"We have some characters on the team," he said with a smile, "They are kids who just want to play."

The Year 8s, led by Mr Perry, have travelled all around the region playing this year, losing only two matches all season. The pupils also make use of training at the school's sport facilities - with the use of Belle Vue sports centre, including the hall where the national basketball team play - at their fingertips.

Among the staff, office managers Rachel Flynn and Stacy Tiplady, are two of the team's biggest supporters - attending all games this season, home and away, and keeping the trophies won this season proudly in their office.

"We've even polished the trophies," they added. "We're really proud of them and they deserve to be noticed for this."

Some boys have taken their football one step further, being snapped up by academies including Manchester United, Accrington and Everton. Two year 9 pupils, Tadi and Darren, recently represented Manchester Boys at a national competition.

Meanwhile, Year 8 player Jasper, whose brother plays for United under 21s, recently returned from Poland where he had been called on to play for United under 14s.

Behaviour and attendance manager, Ian Stenson who has been at the school for seven years, has been impressed with the growing maturity shown by the lads - on the field and in lessons.

He said: "They're dedicating four to five hours a week after school playing and training. Having the support from the staff has made a big change to them."

Year 8 pupil Bada, who plays right back, says the football team is one of the best things about the school and asks all his teachers if they are coming to watch them play.

For now, the boys have their sights set on one more trophy before the summer holidays, the Greater Manchester County Plate.

Mr Stenson said: "The head teacher promised that if they win this final they can have new football kits which they really want," before adding with a laugh "They were also promised KFC so they have a lot to play for."