STUDENTS from seven schools across Colchester, Sussex and London converged on St Helena School in Colchester to contest the Essex Christmas Clash of the Vex IQ Robotics competition.

The competition, which takes place in schools all over the world, is part of a drive to improve students’ basic understanding of robotics and computer programming, as well as develop their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Gazette: Behind the scenes – St Helena pupils busily prepare themselves for the next matchBehind the scenes – St Helena pupils busily prepare themselves for the next match (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Youngsters from Stanway School, Thomas, Lord Audley School, St Helena, the Gilberd, North Primary, Queen Elizabeth School in London, and Finborough School in Suffolk, have all been working on their robots since September.

Gazette: Experimenting – Thomas Lord Audley pupil tests out a contraptionExperimenting – Thomas Lord Audley pupil tests out a contraption (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

From 9am until the end of the school day on Wednesday, teams from across the seven schools were vying for a place at the UK National finals of the Vex IQ competition which will take place in Telford, in March.

At St Helena, however, teams were tasked with controlling their robots as part of a game called slap shot, which is like a robot version of ice hockey.

Gazette: Leading the way – St Helena's William James (far left) has been a catalyst for the competition in recent yearsLeading the way – St Helena's William James (far left) has been a catalyst for the competition in recent years (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Robots would release the discs from different towers and then try and skid them onto the other half of the field.

The level of work from pupils and staff which goes towards building the robots and programming them is in itself highly impressive, let alone the organisation of the tournament.

Gazette: Tantalising – pupils were very invested in each match, which lasted one minuteTantalising – pupils were very invested in each match, which lasted one minute (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

The organiser for St Helena,] William James – who is also the school’s senior science technician – said the achievements of students from last year show schools take the challenge seriously.

He said: “We had a couple of kids go over to America last year for the world finals in Dallas.

Gazette: Teamwork – pupils Queen Elizabeth School traveled from London as part of the competitionTeamwork – pupils Queen Elizabeth School traveled from London as part of the competition (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“There are so many elements – you get to design the robot, programme it, work out its strengths.

“From today, they want to get to the national finals.”

Gazette: Tension – pupils from Finborough School have their eyes on the prize during one of the matchesTension – pupils from Finborough School have their eyes on the prize during one of the matches (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

The two sides who have progressed to the next round in Telford are Queen Elizabeth’s School and the Gilberd School.

North Primary School received the design award, and a St Helena team received the judge’s award.