STUDENTS from a Bridport school enjoyed a trip to London to show off what they have learnt from a pilot project.

The Sir John Colfox Academy is a PiXL Edge Centre of Excellence. The PiXL Edge project is designed to help pupils develop personal skills to help them with employment and life skills.

It focuses on the five key skills of leadership, organisation, initiative, resilience and communication. Students qualify at three levels – apprentice, graduate and master – having completed activity programmes related to the key attributes and accredited through the NCFE examination board.

Students were invited to Westminster to promote the programme at a meeting.

Teacher Andy David said: "Daniel Van Zyl, Mannie Wellman, Cara Hatch and Maddy Herbert are Edge Ambassadors and part of their role is supporting other students at Colfox Academy and supporting other schools looking to join the programme.

"Two years ago Colfox was part of a pilot of 12 schools and now there are over 650 schools across England, Wales and Ireland. On the day all four students had to present in front of teachers from other schools who wanted to know more about the Edge. Mannie and Maddy were asked to speak in front of nearly 2,000 people on the main stage."

"They did an incredible job and were greeted with rapturous applause. I was amazed at how confident they were and to be able to deliver a speech in front of nearly 2000 people is simply breathtaking; there is no doubt that the audience could see they had the Edge."

Speaking at the event, Mannie said: "I have always loved learning. At primary school I always wanted to do more and I was driven by challenge, failure and success.

"When I started in Year 7 I had no idea how many opportunities I would have and the Pixl Edge has pushed me to do so many things, some of which I would never have dreamed of - like talking in front of you for a start.

"Whether your talent is sport, music, art or whatever you enjoy, the Pixl Edge gives you the opportunity to get recognised and rewarded for what you do. I have learnt so many things about myself and the Edge has made me push myself to be the best I can."