PUPILS at Royds Hall High School, Paddock, are preparing to duel.

A fencing club was launched last week and already a large number of youngsters have started to attend the club, led by a qualified coach.

During the sessions, students are developing the basic skills to fence with a focus on both attacking and defending. There is also a major focus on the etiquette of the sport.

Fencing is also taking place in lessons with a pupil leader and a teacher trained to lead sessions.

Nearly 200 students have had the opportunity to try the sport.

A spokeswoman for Royds Hall said: “Fencing has been targeted as a one of eight focus sports through the Change for Life and Olympic legacy programme alongside sports such as badminton, handball and boccia.”

There are also plans for staff fencing club being set up in the future.

The sessions are funded through the Pennine Sports Partnership.