Pupils at The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley have been celebrating success across the board on a national level.

For the school's chess team recently managed to ‘checkmate’ their way to victory at the national Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Chess Championship, held at Aldro School, near Godalming.

A team of 16 boys and girls, aged between eight and 12, spent three days at the Championships over the Easter holidays, playing a series of highly competitive matches against schools from all parts of the country.

They won several individual competitions, but their biggest success was being awarded the titles of Boys and Girls National IAPS Chess Under 13 Champions.

Simon Walton, who oversees chess at the school, said: “What a fine achievement to become both boys and girls champions.

“Huge congratulations go to all the children who took part and a special thank you to Chris Howell, who has been coaching chess at The Hawthorns for over four years.

“It is great to see the high standards they have all achieved.”