A team of students from Colchester Royal Grammar School, Essex, led a field of 28 teams to take first prize at this year's Top of the Bench national final, held in April at the London Science Museum and Imperial College, London. Aimed at 14-16-year olds, the annual competition is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in collaboration with the London Science Museum. Prem Jareonsettasin, James Lawrence, Jack Bartholomew and Jack Bramhill overcame strong competition from schools from across the UK and one from the British School in Brussels to win the Top of the Bench trophy, £500 for their school to spend on scientific equipment and book tokens for themselves. Teams from Tonbridge School, Kent, and Highgate School, London, finished second and third, respectively. Annabel Williams at Manchester Grammar School, Manchester received the Jacqui Clee Award for her outstanding personal contribution on the day. 

To reach the final, the teams, comprising four students (two from Year 9, one from Year 10 and one from Year 11 - or equivalent) had to compete in regional heats, run by the RSC's local sections. In the final the students had to complete a pen and paper task designed to test their knowledge of chemistry, followed by a research exercise in which they answered questions relating to various exhibitions in the museum. Finally, the teams raced to complete successfully a lab-based practical activity which tested their problem-solving skills.

The regional heats for next year's competition will take place in the autumn term. Schools wanting to enter a team should contact the secretary of their RSC local section. For more information about the competition contact Lorraine Hart at the Royal Society of Chemistry.