Fighting spirit is taking centre stage at The Hart School in Rugeley

There must be something in the water at The Hart School, Rugeley, that’s nurturing sporting talent as well as academic prowess.

That’s because a trio of dedicated pupils have reached the top of their game when it comes to martial arts.

Ellie Harvey, aged 13, Harry McAulay, aged 12, and Lucy Graham, aged 11, have a collective cache of impressive titles between and all have their sights set on winning more in the name of Great Britain.

Year 9 teen Ellie has recently been crowned as a world champion kickboxer, with hopes high that she will compete in the 2024 Olympics; and Year 7 student Lucy has become a national kumite karate champ and hopes to lift the global title for her age next year.

While her fellow Year 7 pupil Harry, who hopes one day to become a professional stuntman, already has a national bronze medal under his kumite belt and his next goal is to bring home a world title in 2019.

The trio train up to seven times a week in either Rugeley or Tamworth, including at the GKR karate group and Rugeley Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.

The Hart School Principal Chris Keen said: “We’re beginning to think that there is something in the water here at The Hart School in Rugeley as we’ve got so many high achieving martial art students in our midst.

“We’re incredibly proud of them all, as well as their parents, for the dedication that they’ve shown in their field of sporting expertise with outstanding commitment to train up to seven days a week, every week.

“All three have already won some amazing titles and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them.”

The Hart School in Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley, is part of Creative Education Trust and was rated Good by Oftsed in March this year. For more visit The Hart School website here.