A SCHOOL celebrated the start of Euro 2016 with a week of football-themed fun.

Clacton County High School’s PE teachers organised a string of activities and challenges to get youngsters excited for the tournament, currently being played in France.

Events included lunch-time penalty shoot outs and a footgolf course set up on the school field.

The main events saw masses of teams take part in a pair of huge in-school tournaments.

Years seven and eight took part in one tournament with a team from every form group entering, while years nine and ten were able to choose their own teams to compete in the second competition.

Principal Neil Gallagher said: “Students particularly enjoyed the footgolf course set up on the school field where they had to kick the football around various hazards and into a triangular area at the end of each hole.

“Even the PE staff couldn’t resist in playing a round.

“The main events of the week were the upper and lower school football tournaments which were fiercely but spiritedly contested.

“It was great to see the school field full of teams playing over four pitches.

“All the pupils involved were a credit to their forms, with some fantastic football and outstanding sporting conduct.”

A group of 18 County High students are also celebrating after gaining their FA junior coaching qualification.

They took part in theory and practical courses which will allow them to lead football coaching sessions.

It will allow them to assist with coaching the school teams, as well as taking higher level qualifications and refereeing courses when they are old enough.

Mr Gallagher added: “Students were a credit to the school and the FA coaches were extremely impressed with the standard of coaching and leadership shown.”