Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill honoured at former school

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:20 · Archive

Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to King Ecgbert School in Sheffield to unveil a heritage plaque celebrating notable state-educated pupils.

Olympic gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill returned to King Ecgbert School in Dore, Sheffield, where she studied from 1997 to 2004, for the unveiling of a heritage plaque celebrating notable state-educated pupils. The school was selected as one of the first in the country to receive such a plaque as part of the Made in State School campaign led by charity The 93% Club.

Dame Jessica, a retired heptathlete who won gold at London 2012, described it as a 'special feeling' and a 'huge honour' to be recognised in this way. A sports hall at the school is already named after her. She said: 'My sister and I grew up in the centre of Sheffield when opportunities weren't great. Athletics was an opportunity for me to expand my horizons and do different things and coming to a school like King Ecgbert with the network here and the support that they give you allowed me to go on and achieve great things.'

Head teacher Peter Haigh said Dame Jessica was the 'perfect' role model for pupils, noting that she had passed her GCSEs and A-levels before studying psychology at university whilst pursuing sporting excellence. King Ecgbert School, part of the Mercia Learning Trust, also counts England cricket captain Joe Root among its former pupils.

How it is being reported

• Sheffield Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill unveils plaque at King Ecgbert School“The network, the teachers and the support they gave me helped me go on to achieve great things”Sheffield Star · 22 Oct, 11:27
• Plaque honour for school's golden girl Dame JessicaDame Jessica Ennis-Hill says it's a 'special feeling' to be back at King Ecgbert School in Dore.BBC South Yorkshire · 22 Oct, 06:09

In this story: Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill · King Ecgbert School · Sheffield · The 93% Club · Joe Root

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