STAFF and pupils from a Hull Academy are celebrating after taking top spot in a dance and drama competition featuring the best talent in northern England.
Students from Archbishop Sentamu Academy won Rock Challenge's Northern Grand Open Final on Thursday night at the Grimsby Auditorium.
Hayley Buchan, head of drama at the school, said: "Everyone is as high as kites.
"They did the best they could have done but it was still a pleasant surprise to have won.
"We started rehearsals six months ago.
"Taking part in Rock Challenge is the highlight of the school life for some of the students.
"It builds their confidence and the performance gives them a natural high."
It isn't the first time the school has tasted success in the competition.
Mrs Buchan said: "We've had quite a bit of success in the competition in previous years and have a good track record.
"About six years ago, we won through to perform in Australia, where the competition originated."
Each school at the Northern Open Finals performed an eight-minute themed piece on stage and students and teachers came together and worked on stage set, costumes and lighting design.
The winner's piece looked at the life of an unwilling survivor of a crash that killed his friend, who shuts down emotionally, guilty of his survival.
They were closely followed by Headlands School in Bridlington, which picked up second spot.
Mrs Buchan said: "The standard was so high on the night.
"I am proud of the 55 performers and 17 stage crew who took part."
Humberside Police brought Rock Challenge to the region 15 years ago as a creative way of showing students how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
This year alone, a record-breaking 48 schools took part in the six Humber events involved more than 3,428 pupils.
Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove said: "It was a brilliant night of first-class entertainment.
"We have young people with talent and commitment that we should be proud of. Our future looks very bright with young people coming through like this.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say many congratulations to all schools who were part of the event and very well done to Archbishop Sentamu Academy from Hull, which scooped first place and will go on to be promoted as a Rock Challenge Premier School in 2014."
The winners of the primary school final events will be revealed in Monday's Mail.
