Another year and another title headed the way of St Clements Danes School as they were named champions at the Watford and District Schools Athletics Championships on Wednesday.

It was the 11th year in 13 that the Chenies Road school won the overall event along with retaining the title for the fifth year in a row.

Parmiter’s came second overall but were 100 points behind Danes.

In the B League, Queens’ stormed to victory twice in both the girls and boys events to win overall and take the trophy back to Aldenham Road.

The annual event, which brings secondary schools from across the district together to compete in track and field events for students in Year 7 to 10, was held at Woodside Athletics Stadium.

Ian Birkett, head of PE at Clements Danes, was delighted with his school’s achievement.

He told the Watford Observer: “It is absolutely brilliant to win the title again, it is well deserved, the students have worked really hard all year for the County League as we got to the County League final as well.

“We were expecting a good day but you never know on a day like today. We are delighted.”

However, the teacher was surprised to discover it was their 11th title in 13 years.

“I did not know that,” he admitted, “but we have high standards for our athletics because we make a big thing about it in the summer so we are really pleased.

“A lot of it this year was how well the Year 7s did. You never know what Year 7 is like and they have trained really hard this year.

“But what they achieved is what I think made the difference. We will be certainly trying our best to retain it next year. I hope we do.”

But there was an added element to this year’s competition, as the pupils had to contend with the heatwave as the temperature reached more than 34 degrees in parts of the country.

The 1500m heats and finals took place earlier in the day to allow for the unusually hot weather. But this did not stop records being broken, with the Year 7 boys 200m best being reduced by a second while the shot record was improved by three metres.

The weather was a factor Brad Hughes, director of sport at Parmiter’s, acknowledged when discussing his pride in his students.

“They have done really well overall this season, especially in the County Leagues,” said Hughes.

“The Year 10 boys won their area for the County League. That is the first time we have ever done that.”

He continued: “It has been a good season overall. We’re slightly disappointed to come second overall but the kids produced a really good performance in this heat and we are pleased with the performance they have had.

“[There were] lots of first places and they have done really well.

“It is a long day for them, especially for the longer distance runners. We start at nine o’clock.

“It has been a tough day on all the kids but they all did a fantastic job. Hopefully when we come back next year we will win the title.”