TWO Darwen students are in line for prestigious academy awards.

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) sixth form students Shona O’Neill and Benn Cowell, both 17, will represent the academy at the Academy Excellence Awards.

Shona’s essay ‘Write A Law’ has been shortlisted in the politics category, while Benn’s ‘Does The World Have A Problem With Food?’ is in the economics category.

Both students are from Darwen and their work will be scrutinised by experts BBC presenter Jon Sopel and BBC 2’s Dragon’s Den presenter Evan Davis.

DACA principal Brendan Loughran said: “We are delighted that Shona and Benn have been shortlisted for these prestigious national awards for academic excellence.

“This is an aspirational new educational awards scheme and we’re thrilled that Darwen Aldridge Community Academy will be represented. This is a brilliant achievement.”

The awards, now in their second year, are an initiative to celebrate academic achievement by students at academies.

DACA student Sam Exton was shortlisted last year for his entry in the technology category and went on to be the outright winner when announced at the awards dinner in Nottingham last July.

There are 12 subject categories this year – art, biology, chemistry, design and technology, economics, English, geography, history, mathematics, music, physics and politics – and students were asked to answer an essay question set by experts at The University of Nottingham.

The shortlist was compiled by a filter panel of subject specialists who read all entries to the awards.

Five students per category will be chosen on May 18 and invited to represent their academy at an Inspiration Day and Awards Dinner at Nottingham on July 4.