A GROUP of year 11 pupils from RGS Worcester have been given an award for research and development at the world championships of the highly acclaimed Land Rover 4x4 Technology Challenge.

Team Ascent, made up of Alec Berry, Edward Lawson, Faiz Ibrar, George Mann, Harry Smith and Jack Beet, saw off competition from hundreds of teams to win the regional and UK finals and go through to the world championships.

The team was placed fifth overall in a competition with 21 teams from countries across the world including Greece, South Korea and Australia.

The teams were challenged to build a radio controlled four-wheel drive vehicle that could successfully navigate and complete obstacles on an off road test track and emulate the capabilities of a full size 4x4 vehicle.

A spokesman from Jaguar Land Rover said: “The Engineering industry requires creative multi-disciplined individuals who are capable of problem solving through individual endeavour and working in motivated teams. "This project emulates a work situation where specialists come together to resolve a complex problem and share intellectual and practical resources to affect a solution.

"The challenge is an excellent opportunity for students to work in design teams to gain an understanding of project management and to link with engineering companies."

John Pitt, headmaster, said: “I would like to congratulate the team and also thank the AOOEs and sponsors who kindly supported this project.

"At RGS Worcester we believe in a combination of academic excellence and exposure to business and industry to prepare our pupils for life after school.

"This is an excellent example of this and one where the pupils’ involvement will set them apart from their peers for many years to come.”

The final was held at the The Ricoh Arena, Coventry, in July.