PUPILS from Abbeyfield School in Chippenham swapped the classroom for the House of Commons as they showed off their winning model rocket following a national competition.

The school had previously claimed victory in the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKRoC), which is the UK’s largest youth model rocket competition, and finished second in the International Rocketry competition this year.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray and around 30 other politicians attended the event where the rocket was demonstrated.

Jon Pickering, science and rocket club teacher at Abbeyfield School, said: “All the pupils really enjoyed speaking with the MPs answering their many varied questions about their recent rocket club competition.

“What really excited the students was after a tour round Westminster Hall they visited the Science Museum.

“Having met Tim Peake at the rocket finals they were able to see the actual capsule he returned to Earth in, it really brings home to students the importance of science and maths subjects.”

The UKRoC is a free national competition organised by ADS and is now in its 11th year, which is aimed at students aged 11-18 from secondary school and colleges.

Competitors have to design, build and launch their model rockets while loaded with two raw eggs and reach a height of 775 feet while maintaining a flight duration of 41-43 seconds.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of ADS Group said: “If the UK is to succeed in tough global markets we need more young people equipped and excited by today and tomorrow’s great engineering challenges.

“It is fantastic to see MPs supporting the launch of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge.

“Working with schools the competition is a creative way to put science, technology, engineering and maths to practical use.”