A Romford primary school is through to the semi-final of a national science quiz.

Squirrels Heath Junior School, in Salisbury Road, won its regional heat for the National Year 5 Science Quiz Club competition

The pupils, who won a plaque for the school and individual badges and certificates, will now represent Havering at the semi-finals in Hertfordshire next Friday.

The competition is designed to test students with science questions which go beyond the primary national curriculum.

Science coordinator Stephen Moon, 33, said: “I feel really excited and really proud of the children.

“It was quite overwhelming for them, but they overcame it and did incredibly well.

“They produced some high quality work and are incredibly excited to go to the semi-finals.”

The regional round, which was held at St Ursula’s Junior School, required pupils from the eight schools participating to answer 40 science questions.

The school’s winning team was selected after students completed an in-house quiz and they attended regular lunchtime sessions, where they were set topics to research such as electricity, plants and famous scientists.

Mr Moon, who joined Squirrels Heath this school year, added: “After our success, we’d love to carry on and do it year after year.”