Pupils from Cockermouth School found glory when they dominated the podium places at a national orienteering contest.

A team of 20 students, who are also members of West Cumberland Orienteering Club, swept the board at the British Schools’ Orienteering Championships at Sandringham in Norfolk on Sunday.

After a host of top individual results, the school clinched the overall trophy for large secondary schools after pipping Ulverston Victoria High School to the title by a single point.

Set in a stunning woodland, the Cockermouth pupils rose to the challenge against some of the best orienteers from across the country.

The year 13 girls’ team of Katie Skinner, Katie Lowles and Jenn Bradley won gold for the sixth consecutive year in their final ever championship.

The trio have scooped gold in the same competition every season since they have been in year eight. They were denied the chance to compete in year seven because the 2009 floods stopped them travelling.

Katie Lowles, 17, said: “It was nice to finish it off with another win. We were going there hoping to win it again for our last one.”

Rosie Spencer, Lily Regan and Izzy Greenwood also claimed gold in the year nine girls’ category.

Rosie, 13, said: “It’s was the first big event I have won. It was one of my goals for this year.”

Year 11 boys Alastair Thomas, Daniel Spencer and Joe Goodwin picked up silver, while there were individual gold medals for Alastair Thomas (year 11 boys) and Rosie Spencer (year nine girls).

There were silver medals for Niamh Hunter (year 10 girls) and Daniel Spencer (year 11 boys), and bronze for Joe Greenwood (year nine boys) and Katie Lowles (year 13 girls).

Margaret Mackenzie, team organiser, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic result for the school.

“I have been taking a team for the last 11 years and we are now British Schools’ champions.

“We have never got on the podium. We had hoped to get on the podium but to get on top was such an achievement.

“The competition was so close. Ulverston Queen Victoria High School have won it several times, so it was sweet victory for us.

“West Cumberland Orienteering Club have given excellent support over the years in terms of coaching and opportunities for pupils to compete weekly.”