PUPILS at Winterbourne International Academy have been developing their teamwork skills by learning a new sport.

For the past few months, boys and girls in Year 7 have been working hard at handball, a sport comprising of two teams of seven.

Players pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it into the goal of the other team.

Although relatively new to the sport, youngsters at the school are already achieving a level of play that is expected of pupils two years older, according to PE teacher Chris Jackson.

He said: “I am really impressed with their progress, particularly as many of them have never played handball until recently.

“The pupils have demonstrated amazing resilience and an ability to quickly pick up new skills.

“They are a mixed ability group, but all work really well together.”

Parents and teachers were invited to witness the skill of the pupils at a handball match on Friday, March 24.

Before the match kicked off, two pupils ran a warm up for the class that included lunges, Russian kicks and sumo squats.

Afterwards, the pupils split into two teams to begin several handball matches.

Peter Smart, Interim Principal at Winterbourne Academy, was impressed by the skills on show.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to allow parents to see the pupils’ talent and ability to work in a team.

He added: “By allowing the pupils to run their own warm up, they are developing crucial leadership skills.”

Pupil Rosie Brice, 11, added that she has really been enjoying learning the sport.

She said: “It’s really energetic and lets us express ourselves.

“I really like working in a team and the best part is scoring a goal.”