EIGHT gifted students from Holyrood Academy took part in a special science event at Bristol University.

Olivia Hadley, William Reid, Isaac Sutcliffe, Will Lees, Hanley Coath, Freya Rex, Mrs Lloyd-Jones, Heidi Warren, and Megan Winch, from years eight and nine, were invited to the biological science department at the university on May 15.

The aim was to give the students a feel of university life if they were considered studying sciences once leaving the Chard-based school.

The students were taken on a tour of one of the university campus sites, and took part in a practical session studying owls.

The session included a fly by from the resident owl Lockie, and they viewed a dissection of owl pellets.

Their afternoon was spent in the lecture all to hear a post graduate talk about genomes.

Jamie Atkinson, who heads up the high achievers programme at Holyrood Academy, said: “What a valuable experience these students have been able to enjoy.

“I am very grateful to the staff at Bristol University and was very proud of the students’ attitudes and genuine willingness to learn beyond their regular science lessons.”