GIFTED and talented pupils from schools across Swindon competed in a variety of subjects.

Nova Hreod School hosted a Year 8 Able, Gifted and Talented Challenge day for more than 90 pupils selected from eight Swindon secondary schools.

The event, designed to challenge Swindon’s brightest students, is in its fourth year of competition and is supported by Swindon council and the Swindon Ten Network.

It was won by The Ridgeway School.

Pupils took part in a wide range of challenges including art and design, history, Italian, mathematics, physical education and science.

The challenges were devised, managed and judged by the eight secondary schools, each providing a subject challenge for the day.

Pupils were from Churchfields School, Commonweal School, Dorcan Technology College, Greendown School, Isambard Community School, Nova Hreod School, The Ridgeway School and St Luke’s School.

Scott Thomas, lead teacher for Able, Gifted and Talented for Swindon council and a teacher at Nova Hreod School, oversaw the event.

He said: “I was delighted by the high-standard of competition throughout all of the events.

“The hard work and talent of pupils from across Swindon was obvious to see.

“I would like to congratulate Ridgeway School for winning this year’s Challenge Day, taking the shield away from last year’s defending champions, Nova Hreod.

“I would like to thank all the staff who were involved in the day for their hard work in creating their subject challenges and for the manner in which they worked with students throughout the day”.

Angela Jenson, from the local authority, said: “It’s great that schools in Swindon can work together in this way and create events like this which just don’t happen in other places.”