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

Northampton School for Boys (NSB) were given the award for its all-round sporting achievements of 2017 in the annual list compiled by School Sport Magazine.

NSB reached the final stages of national athletics, basketball, football, golf and cross-country competitions to cap another successful all-round campaign.

And it follows remarkably consistent performances over the last five years, which have seen it top the standings on three occasions and twice finish as runners up.

Second place went to Barking Abbey School, who topped their previous best ranking of sixth with accomplishments in football, basketball and netball competitions.

Essex’ Coopers Company & Coborn School were knocked off their number one slot from 2016 but still enjoyed a fruitful year, ending in third place with national athletics and gymnastic success as well as final stage placings in tennis and cross-country running.

Judd School, also from Essex, were fourth, with Ivybridge Community College fifth and Nottingham’s Ashfield School - making the top 100 for the first time - in sixth.

Phil Tusler, publishing editor of School Sport Magazine, said: “This has been another remarkable year for competitive sport in schools and Northampton 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.

The best sports schools of 2017 are revealed in the latest edition of School Sport Magazine, the country’s only national magazine dedicated to celebrating sporting achievement in UK schools.

A list of the country’s top 100 independent schools will be unveiled in January, while further details are available online at www.schoolsportmag.co.uk