Rocket success at schools challenge

Pupils from selected schools across the borough took part in Clarendon Sixth Form College’s schools challenge last week to find the best and brightest students in a variety of subjects.

The event invited pupils from West Hill School and St. Thomas More School, take part in four challenges including: finding the concentration of an acid solution, building and firing a water powered rocket, presenting a design for a life-changing item for the developing world and developing a fashion accessory using recyclable material.

With teams from both schools taking part, each challenge was judged by teachers from across the college and the winning teams were given £150 to be put towards school equipment.

The schools challenge is part of a wider strategy by Clarendon Sixth Form College, to engage young people in STEM and creative subjects and to create better links with local schools.

Jennie Arnold, head of centre at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “We host the schools challenge every year and each time we see new, innovative ideas and designs that exceed our expectations. It’s all good fun but the teams take it extremely seriously and achieve some fantastic results that they can truly be proud of. Thank you to all the teachers, staff members and of course students that took part, it was a day to remember.”