ABLE, gifted and talented Year Eight students have been put through their paces to earn themselves a place on a unique three-year training programme.

Set up by Nelson and Colne College, in partnership with five Pendle secondary schools, the Boat Race Challenge is a programme designed to challenge and develop students and help them progress to top universities.

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Students from Colne Primet Academy, Pendle Vale College, Colne Park High School, Marsden Heights Community College and West Craven High School attended a selection day where they took part in activities, including a Dragon’s Den-style presentation and team building, leadership and problem-solving exercises.

Ten students from each school attended the fun-filled event, and at the end of the day each group was whittled down to six – meaning 30 students are now officially enrolled on the programme.

Nelson and Colne College assistant principal Paul Britton said: “This three-year programme will start when students are in Year Nine and will include inter-school competitions, challenges, research projects and more.

“We have seen really able students at the selection day, and we are looking forward to helping them develop their skills in a competitive environment.”

Plans for the programme so far include engaging successful students with an activity a term, an autumn term University Challenge Quiz, and an overnight stay to Oxford and Cambridge. Each student will also be allocated a mentor as part of the programme.

Colne Primet Academy student Esther Calleja,13, who successfully made it onto the Boat Race Challenge programme, said: “The selection day was exciting. I am hopeful it will prepare me for university in the future.”

Esther’s head teacher Lynne Blomley said: “This innovative programme is a fantastic opportunity for Pendle schools to work in partnership with an outstanding local college and give their able, gifted and talented students a real head-start in securing places at the most competitive universities in the country.

Pendle Vale College’s learning leader Amy Jenkinson said: “We are hopeful this programme will build aspiration and encourage students to think about their future earlier.”