Hundreds of teenagers worked together to break a world record by taking part in a huge sign language lesson.

More than 800 pupils from Hendon School, in Golders Rise, took part in a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest number of people communicating through sign language.

Acting headteacher Rhona Povey said: “We were all really nervous at first, what with the entire school being involved, but the atmosphere was electric.”

The school, which is celebrating is centenary year, chose this record as it coincides with the support and care they give to their Provision for Deaf Students.

Eva Stavrou, sign language tutor at Hendon School orchestrated the record attempt by teaching pupils how to finger spell, and teach each other their favourite school subjects and sports.

She said: “It was humbling to see the children fixated on me, I was totally overwhelmed.”

Many individuals from the deaf community were also invited to the attempt were.

Barbara Flinthan, an active member of the British Deaf Association, said: “Hopefully Hendon have now paved a way for other schools to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf communities.”

“The way Hendon approached the subject of it was really touching, it really made the hairs on my arms stand on end.”

The will find out if their attempt was successful in six weeks.