An Indian school with 45,000 pupils has been named the world's biggest.
''Our students have exceptional academic results each year and outstanding global exposure. Getting this Guinness record is heartening but it's not just about size.''
Guinness World Records confirmed the education establishment, The City Montessori School in Lucknow, is the largest of its kind after having 39,437 pupils registered in the 2010/11 academic year, but the numbers are now said to have gone beyond 45,000.
The school - which was opened in 1959 with just five pupils - employs 2,500 teachers, and has 1,000 classrooms over 20 sites in the city.
Jagdish Gandhi - who opened the education establishment with his wife thanks to a loan of just 300 Indian rupees (£3.50) - said: ''The phenomenal growth of our school is a reflection of our efforts to please our parents with our service to their children.
''Our students have exceptional academic results each year and outstanding global exposure. Getting this Guinness record is heartening but it's not just about size.''
