North Walsham High School won the best school award in the annual Norfolk Science Olympiad, held at the University of East Anglia.

The school beat off competition from over 20 state and private schools to win the Colman's Trophy, with its Year 10 team taking Gold and its Year 9 team achieving silver, after a range of scientific practical challenges, involving 'design and make' activities, problem solving and experimental investigations.

The gold-winning Year 10 team were Freddie Gatfield, Michael Jordison, Katie Mayes and Zoe Trevatt; the silver medal-winning Year 9 team were Cameron Pitts, Aaron Russell, Erin Smith and Megan Spencer.

Science teacher Emma Law, who led the teams at UEA, said, 'Watching our students throughout their challenges, I was in total awe of how they approached each challenge with confidence and dedication, displaying high level thinking skills and harmonious team work.

'What's more, they demonstrated impressive self-managing skills and independence from adult support during their challenges set by the Olympiad team of scientists.'

The Science Olympiad, an annual festival of competitive events for schools, has run since 1980, and takes place over two whole days, and involving 1,500 children from 70 Norfolk primary schools, secondary schools and sixth-form centres.