A TEAM of rocket builders from Ormiston Rivers Academy finished in the top five at a National Finals.

The year 9 students competed in the tenth UK Rocketry Challenge National Finals on May 25.

The event, which was held at Stow Maries Aerodrome in Purleigh, saw 14 teams from 10 schools across the UK compete in a rocket building competition.

The team from Ormiston Rivers Academy was made up of students Nathan Head, Laura Spackman, Ben Griffiths, Rachel Cottee and Megan Davidson.

They qualified for the national competition after winning their regional finals.

The event, organised by ADS Group, is the largest youth model rocket competition in the country.

Competing teams built their own rockets with the aim of carrying two raw eggs and returning them safely to the ground.

The rockets had to reach an altitude of 850 metres and had to fall in to strict measurement conditions.

Ormiston Rivers Academy finished fifth on the day, as Abbeyfield School from Wiltshire won the competition.

Paul Everett, Chief Executive of ADS Group, said: “The Rocketry Challenge is an engaging way for young people to explore how these subjects are put into practical use.

“These young people have the potential to succeed in our industry and enjoy successful and rewarding careers.”

Peter Ruddock, Chief Executive of event sponsors Lockheed Martin UK, added: “It is really important to show young people that maths and science are not boring subjects by engaging them in fun, creative engineering challenges.”