16141/1DEVIZES School showed its calibre as a specialist sports college last week by holding a sports science day in which its sports and science departments worked together.

The two departments held a series of interactive workshops for year nine students who are about to embark on their GCSE courses aimed at showing how science can help in furthering health and fitness.

The main action last Thursday occurred in the sports hall at a physical science workshop.

Here students were able to test their own reaction times, especially over a short five-metre sprint. They used equipment to test how fast they can kick a football. The students managed speeds of up to 54mph, impressive for 14-year-olds but well below the 84mph regularly achieved in the Premiership.

Data from this workshop was of relevance to the Body Matters session also taking place last Thursday.

Here the effects of smoking, alcohol and drug abuse on the body were investigated. Equipment was used to test reaction time and data was used to show how drugs slow down reactions and impair performance.

Needless to say, no drugs were used during this workshop.

Turning to pure science, students were challenged to create machines to blow up balloons to bursting point and invent rockets in the mini physics experiments workshop.

In a workshop entitled Fit for Life, students measured their own height and weight, their percentage of body fat and used peak flow meters to gauge their lung functions.

Further tests measured grip, balance, resting heart rate and a standing long jump test measured general fitness and leg strength. Two workshops concentrated on communication and problem solving skills.

Sue Marshall, the school's director of sport, said that the feedback from the pupils had been very positive.

She said: "They really enjoyed the day. As far as they were concerned it went really well and they found it good to join together and achieve things as part of a team.

"A lot of elements came together on the day, which is the whole point of us being a specialist sports college.

"Much of the work they did last Thursday will refer to the GCSE courses they'll be starting next year."

The workshops reflected the school's new motto, taken on board when it gained specialist sports college status last year, of "active body, active mind". The ethos of the school has become one of healthy living but also how being physically fit helps mental acuity.