STUDENTS from across north Essex took part in an Apprentice-style challenge as they work towards their English GCSE qualification.

Year Ten pupils from eight schools that make up the North East Essex Education Partnership, including Clacton County High, visited Essex University for the day.

Pupils aiming for an A* in their exam attended a series of workshops on blogging, podcasting, speech writing, TV advertising and the media.

At the end of the day, they presented a campaign to change the way young people in Essex are represented in the national media.

The event was planned by the English departments of the schools.

Clacton County High headteacher, Jeff Brindle, said: “We want our highest flying students to know how much they are valued and to be really excited and motivated about aiming for the highest grades by working with their peers from our partner schools in a series of challenging English events.

“Being able to host this event at Essex University is really important for us, so that we can show our students how close they are to a university education in terms of their ability and location.”