FOR the second year running the Knoll School in Kidderminster collected the the Old Swinford Hospital School Science Challenge Cup.

The school, in Manor Avenue, had two pupils, Freddie Nock and Jessica Shaw, both 10, taking part in the competition.

The challenge involved pupils spending a day looking at different chemical reactions, learning how to build a bridge and competing in a wind turbine challenge.

The students also had the chance to use microscopes to look at mini-beasts, fungus and their own cells.

More than 80 pupils from around the county took part in the annual Schools’ Summer Festival at Old Swinford Hospital, in Stourbridge, on June 12.

All pupils, aged between nine and 12, were able to select an activity to compete in from science, drama, music and sport.

The music group spent the morning composing on keyboards and computers.

The group were then joined in the afternoon by Old Swinford Hospital’s own sixth form students who rehearsed and inspired the group for a final performance to all the pupils at the end of the day.

In drama, the group developed their improvisational skills and then, having been given a rough scenario, the pupils improvised and devised their own scenes, which culminated in two small group performances.

Pupils who opted for the sports discipline competed in a mini-Olympics tournament and round robin rounders competition.

Peter Jones, headmaster of Old Swinford Hospital, said: “On a delightful summer’s day, it was wonderful to see all the pupils working so well together, getting involved and enjoying taking part in all the different activities, which were both challenging and enjoyable in equal measure.

“The annual science challenge was a close-fought competition, with the eventual winners being the Knoll School.”