Football fever was in full swing at a school in Abbots Langley this morning as students held a colourful parade dedicated to celebrating the World Cup.

Pupils and teachers from Breakspeare School have been working on a World-Cup inspired project - learning about each of the numerous countries playing – which culminated today with a presentation.

Having been split into groups at the start of the football competition to represent some of the countries playing in the tournament, students and staff were dressed from head to toe in their respective country’s colours - which included Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Germany, Spain and England.

Each of the groups aged from three to 19 then took to the stage of the school’s assembly room and to music represented their football squad.

The Italy group handed out breadsticks as That’s Amore played in the background, while Brazil put on an energetic display in green and yellow playing their vuvuzelas.

Sat on opposite sides of the room were England and Germany, with some controversy caused when the German side took to the stage, delighting in Sunday’s victory by repeatedly shouting “4-1”.

Gill Williamson, school headteacher, said: “The children have been really involved with this and enjoyed learning about each of the countries selected, the staff have also really got into the swing of things.

“It’s been a fantastic learning tool for geography and besides finding out more about each of the places, we’re been teaching the students basic Spanish and Italian phrases – how to say hello and goodbye for example.

“We decided to focus on the World Cup as the school we are partnered with is based in Kimberley South Africa, through the government-funded Global Schools programme.

“Our students have had the opportunity to learn about their partner school’s perceptions of the World Cup which is wonderful.”

Breakspeare School, based in Gallows Hill Lane, caters for children with severe learning difficulties.

Darren White, international schools co-ordinator who helped organise the event, said: “While the majority of pupils at Breakspeare are not able to play football, the event was a very valuable opportunity for pupils.

“It’s much harder to get our children involved in football and sports, but it’s great for them to experience it.”