A SCHOOL in Christchurch is celebrating after winning third place in the 2018 Be Your Best Rock Challenge.

The event, which involved nine schools from across Dorset, Hampshire, London, and the Isle of Wight, was held at Portsmouth Guildhall.

Twynham School’s performance, entitled The Day of the Dead, A Day to Remember, saw talented pupils show off their choreography skills in front of a large audience, including an array of sponsors, local authority figures and VIPs.

The school had to pull out of the Rock Challenge event in Bournemouth on February 8 following the death of a pupil.

The piece centred on the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, which sees families celebrate the memory of people who have passed on. The main character was a girl who lost her family, only to find the strength inside to build a new life.

The event was supported by Hampshire County Council, Stage Coach, Ian Wright Consulting, ACRO and Securigroup.

AMP at Havant and South Downs College in Waterlooville took first place, followed by Christ the King College in Newport.

Supervising event manager Sophia Campbell said each school was “extremely professional”, adding: “The incredible energy has been infectious and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week entails.”