Inspirational pupils from Beech Hall School have completed an arduous 28.5-mile relay swim around Manhattan Island, crossing the finish line as the first children to ever take on the demanding challenge.
The iconic ‘20 Bridges’ swim saw two teams from the Tytherington-based school travel through a trio of rivers – the East River, Harlem River and the renowned Hudson River, which separates Manhattan from the state of New Jersey. Throughout the enduring course, the swimmers passed by and under many famous landmarks including the Empire State Building, Freedom Tower and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The two triumphant teams, a Junior and Senior group, included a dynamic trio of pupils from Year 9 to 11 who have twice conquered the English Channel, Beech Hall’s Headmaster James Allen and two parents. The event followed hot on the heels of the school’s recent swimming success, where the latest Channel crossing took the school’s overall fundraising total to over £105,000 for the learning disability charity Mencap.
As they emerged victorious from the 20 Bridges and English Channel swims, the resilient pupils have now set their sights on the Catalina Channel, a 20-mile crossing in California, striving to be the first of their ages to complete the ‘triple crown of open water swimming’.
Beech Hall School Headmaster, James Allen commented:
“Completing the 20 Bridges swim is a remarkable accomplishment and I am immensely proud of the team. Our pupils have shown exceptional determination and resilience, with an admirable commitment to training when participating in early morning sessions in the school’s outdoor swimming pool and various open water swims across the region.”
Beech Hall School is a non-selective independent school for children aged 6 months to 18 years. It is situated in a beautiful sixteen-acre site on the edge of the Peak District, housing two listed buildings, playing fields and a swimming pool.
The school is committed to providing a child-centred approach to education. Small classes and a focus on the individual mean that quality teaching and learning leads to success. Opportunities beyond the curriculum are just as important as those in the classroom at the school, seeking to provide a truly unique curriculum for every child. A balanced focus on academic attainment, sporting opportunities, emphasising individual strengths and celebrating traditional values are at the core of everything that is important to Beech Hall.
To find out more about Beech Hall visit:
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