A SCHOOL with a record number of pupils has had them all recorded for posterity on a school photograph.

In a logistical feat that only takes place once every six years, the staff joined the 701 pupils in the senior and preparatory schools at Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, for a photograph.

Photography company Tempest was commissioned to complete the task, which took an hour to prepare. Workers also had to construct a grandstand for the pupils to line up on. Two attempts were cancelled this year because of bad weather.

Headmaster David Ewart said: "It is a major feat for the school organising something like this.

"We have record numbers in our prep school and our senior school, so this is possibly the largest joint pupils and staff photograph in our history.

"We are looking forward very much to seeing the finished version."

The photograph will be developed at laboratories in Cornwall, and the school will be presented with a framed photo- graph 8in high by 4ft wide.