Pupils from across West Essex came together at Davenant Foundation School, Loughton, on Friday for the first event of its kind in Britain.

The West Essex Olympics was a celebration of community and the sporting endeavours of children from as many as 43 schools region-wide.

Organised by the West Essex School Sport Partnership (WESSP), the event comprised handball, swimming, archery, athletics, boccia, table tennis, hockey and a Key Stage One multisport event, encompassing more than 1500 competitors.

In true Olympic style, the event was preceded with a colourful opening ceremony, which initially looked under threat from the murky clouds overhead.

But after Olympic silver medallist Jamie Baulch declared the games open and the Olympic torch - designed by secondary school pupil Tegan Banks-Macleod – was paraded, it was sunshine all the way through.

Baulch was on hand alongside England and Thurrock rugby star Emily Scott as special guests at the event.

Baulch also has his own academy – the Jamie Baulch Academy – who were on hand to speak to pupils on the day.

Success came from a number of schools on the day with St John’s Buckhurst Hill coming out on top in the athletics.

Lambourne Primary were victorious on the hockey while it was Waltham Holy Cross Junior celebrating in the swimming event.

St John Fisher took the crown in the girls handball, with Hereward Primary winning in the boys event, while Moreton Primary were the table tennis winners.

The boccia competition was won by St John’s Epping and High Beech Primary won in the archery.

Speaking following the closing ceremony, WESSP manager David Harries explained: “It (the event as a whole) is a success because you don’t often see the amount of children come together and every single one of them leave with a sense of community. That is the main thing.

“The sport is important for healthy living as children but it is more of a celebration of who we are in this area. We are a close bunch.”

He continued: “I have got a fantastic team and, counting everyone who actually put in the effort today, 23 people have worked tirelessly for the last six months to pull off today.

“I have co-ordinated it but I haven’t done anything personally. It is the work of all the staff, the School Sports Competition Organisers who work for the West Essex School Sport Partnership, and they have just done me and the schools so proud.”

And Baulch added his praise for the organisation of the event.

“For me, I got spotted in sports day when I was ten years old by my headmaster. Hence many years later I have got an Olympic medal and a World gold medal.

“This for me is something very close to my heart and it is great to be here today and seeing all the people doing sport and being inspired,” he explained.

“This is priceless. Like I say, I got spotted in my sports day and to me this is the biggest day of the year in school.

“Even the kids who can’t win here today, because we can’t all be the best, just taking part and being part of a bonding team is something which I think is important.

“It is something which we need in schools. I think it is something we should promote and not hide away.”