Rush Green Primary School in Dagenham raised £5,571.50 for Cancer Research UK at a Race for Life event last month.
The charity event took place on Thursday 23 June and involved all 854 pupils walking, jogging or running laps around the school’s playground.
The youngsters donned personalised messages on their tops as they completed their laps in aid of Cancer Research UK and smashed their fundraising target.
The event was organised by Year 5 teacher, Nicola Seabrook, as a way of raising money for charity that could involve the entire school.
Miss Seabrook said: “We’re passionate about raising money for good causes, so Race for Life was perfect and we’ve been so impressed by the generosity of our community and are proud of every child that took part.”
And it wasn’t just the youngsters getting involved – teachers pulled on their trainers and joined in too.
The school’s headteacher, Simon Abeledo, said: "It is a tremendous outcome; we are so impressed. It’s obviously something that really hits home, we all have ourselves, through family or friends been affected by cancer in some way.
“Thank you to all our parents, carers and wider community for their support."
Race for Life started 28 years ago as a women-only event but has become Cancer Research UK’s biggest series of fundraising events in the UK.
One year five pupil said: “It was so much fun racing with all my friends and teachers. I am so proud of raising money and running in honour of our families.”
Rush Green Primary is just one of the borough’s schools currently rated Good by Ofsted. Across Barking and Dagenham, nine out of every 10 schools are ranked as either Good or Outstanding by the national inspectorate.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredibly successful event. It’s fantastic to see young people making a difference to the world by working together for change.
“Its excellent to see our young ones learn to give back to the community”