Pupils at Dunottar Girls’ School, Reigate, raised more than £1,400 for the NSPCC through a fundraising drive which included a media quiz, sponsored swim and a competition to design a bear.

The girls in the school's Year 7 set about raising money for the cause after a talk given by a speaker from the children's charity.

Pupil Sophie Walsh, 11, said: “We did some research to find out more about what the NSPCC does.

“Some of the children’s stories were very distressing. They didn’t deserve to be so badly treated.

“Because we’re young ourselves, it made a big impact on us and we wanted to help them get the chance to have a normal, happy childhood.”

Form teacher Mrs Julie Boden said: “It was fantastic to see the girls’ enthusiasm for the charity and the fund-raising and as a school we are very proud of their achievements.”

A further £220 was raised by the Sixth Form pantomime earlier in the year in aid of Childline, now also part of the NSPCC.