A Barking school has beaten off more than 3,000 others to be named among the best state sports schools in the country.

Barking Abbey was given the award for its special all-round sporting achievements of 2017 in the popular annual list compiled by School Sport Magazine.

Barking Abbey reached the final stages of national football, basketball and netball competitions to finish second overall and cap another successful all-round year.

The finish tops the school's best previous ranking of sixth and is up from 28th last year.

Phil Tusler, publishing editor of School Sport Magazine, said: “This has been another remarkable year for competitive sport in schools and Barking Abbey deserve their achievement. Congratulations to the pupils involved and the work of the school’s sports department especially.

“The list unashamedly reflects and celebrates competitive achievement in a range of sports and honours those schools that take competition especially seriously.”

The annual list is based on performance in 20 different sports and more than 120 different national competitions.