They did everything they could not to break the chain, in an effort to break a world record instead.

Exactly 606 people – made up of pupils, teachers and parents from The Ebbsfleet Academy, Year 6 children due to join the academy in September and Year 5 pupils from Craylands School, Swanscombe – held hands and clambered through a hula hoop in a bid to break the record of 572 set in Washington, USA, in August 2014.

It took several attempts but the school is now awaiting verification from Guinness World Records, which could take up to 12 weeks. Experts are examining footage.

Principal Alison Colwell said: “It was an absolute triumph. The students loved it and it was tremendous to see all of our students, staff and parents coming together to achieve this.

“Thank you to all who took part in this fantastic event.”

After the world record attempt, the pupils were treated to the academy’s first ever fete.

Stalls included large inflatables, henna tattoos, a coconut shy and welly wanging. Proceeds went to The Ebbsfleet Academy.