CHEMISTRY students at Hereford Sixth Form College have excelled in a challenge designed by University of Cambridge's chemists.

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge is a competition for lower sixth students interested in chemistry, and is designed to stretch and challenge students, taking them significantly beyond the A Level syllabus and encouraging them to think about science in the way they would at university.

This year, Hereford Sixth Form College students secured their best ever results attaining: one Roentgenium Award, six gold, eight silver and four copper, the highest success rate the college's chemistry department has ever seen.

The Roentgenium Award, won by Joe Xia, is the highest award, gained only by the top 0.78 per cent of the 7,000 students from across the country who enter.

This award entitles Joe to participate in a prestigious ‘Chemistry Summer Camp’ at Corpus Christi and St Catherine’s College at the University of Cambridge.

Jonathan Godfrey, Hereford Sixth Form College Principal, said: “Having been a research chemist and chemistry teacher I am always delighted when the college’s strength in the subject is demonstrated. Special congratulations to Joe for gaining the highest award - a fantastic achievement.”