POWERFUL voices from a Woodley school secured a podium finish in a national choir competition this week, writes Courtney Friday and Emer Scully.

Sixth Formers from The Bulmershe Ensemble battled through high-pressured studies, exams and plenty of practise to secure third place in Gareth Malone's The Choir: Gareth's Best in Britain.

Their sensational renditions of James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful' and 'It's Time' by Imagine Dragons was viewed by around 2m people as they tuned in to the BBC show on Tuesday night.

Leaders of the school heaped praise on the group, made up of 16 to 18 years olds, saying the town should be proud of their immense achievement.

Sarah Sharpe, assistant head teacher at Bulmershe College, told the Chronicle: "We are so proud of all of them and at how well they have done.

"To even get to the final is an amazing achievement and for them to pull off a performance of that calibre has made us over the moon."

The group were the youngest choir to make the finals, and faced a seasoned university choir as well as a gospel choir group.

Yet they kept their nerve and narrowly missed out on a first-place finish.

Mrs Sharpe, who directed the choir, added: "The programme all started when they were doing their A-Levels, they were revising and sitting their exams as well as rehearsing.

"They all came into school on their holiday time to practise.

"The students were really pleased with themselves, they set a standard and everyone was really impressed.

"They are all so talented but they are so humble as well, I don't think they actually know how good they are.

"They have made Woodley really proud."

One of the pupils had to take over as director of the choir towards the end of the competition to allow Mrs Sharpe to travel on her honeymoon.

Alison Swaddle, ward councillor for Bulmershe, added: "It was amazing, they all worked so hard, I would also like to praise Abi Burrows who stepped up as director. She is only 17 and did an amazing job.

"They are one of the top youth choirs in the country and absolutely did everyone proud."

The competition was just the start of the choir's success, and they have since received offers to stage their own live performances, as well as gaining masses of social media interest.

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CeCe Sammy, who judged the competition, added: "Well known singers don't always win every award. It's about working hard and they did that.

"They didn't have much experience in terms of performing before the competition but they did really well.

"I have been working in this business for over 20 years and everyone gets nervous, but they got on stage and performed which is really encouraging."