Our U15 and U18 water polo teams have just won the English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) water polo national finals in a double celebration! 

The U15 water polo team competed in the final held at Marlborough School on 20th March and the U18 team competed at the Sandwell Aquatic Centre in Birmingham on 24th March. Both teams defeated Bolton School to claim the top spot. Other teams competing included Croydon High School, Alleyn’s School, Highgate School and Kesteven & Grantham School.  

Our swimming and water polo coach, Mr Bent said: “It’s an incredible victory for our girls. After tactical and competitive games we demonstrated just how resilient our students can be, coming away with another victory and opportunity to have our school name engraved on the winner’s trophy for 2025.” 

Water polo is a growing sport at NHEHS and this is the first year we have qualified for the national finals in all three age groups – our U13s will be competing in their finals on 8th May at Northampton School for Boys. The U18 team were national champions in 2023 and came second in 2024. The U15 team were national champions in 2022 and came second in 2023 and 2024. 

“Thanks to all who have helped our teams to success,” adds Mr Bent. “It starts by sowing the seeds of love for the sport at school and grows with coach Claudio Palumbo and various other local swimming and water polo clubs who we have linked up with for our own talent pathway, and parents that enable our girls to enjoy additional training in and out of school.”

Huge congratulations to our teams and coaches!