Man and machine teamed up to achieve nationwide success this week.

Year 8 students from Greig City Academy in High Road, Hornsey were overall winners in the VEX IQ Robotics Championships at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday.

Tanvir, Mitchell, Umar, Benedict and Max all now have the opportunity to compete at the international final of the competition in Louisville, Kentucky USA.

Their tutor Mr Garcia said “The thing that has impressed me most about the team has been their upbeat attitude to setbacks.

“Each problem seems to spur them on and they still trust that their design concept is a winner that just needs further refinement.

“They are one of those teams that show moments of brilliance and always seem to pull together when it matters most. It goes without saying that I am extremely proud of them.”

The UK and Ireland final of the competition was open to all eight to 14 year-old school pupils and is designed to encourage them into science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.