Schoolchildren who envisaged the mental turmoil of a clown through the medium of rollercoaster have won an award.

The group of six Year 9 pupils from Greig City Academy in High Road, Hornsey, won the Key Stage 4 competition in the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge at Alton Towers.

The goal of the competition was to design a ride for the theme park with a back story as is the theme for rides at the theme park.

The Hornsey pupil’s idea was about a clown who had become distraught after his daughter disappeared.

The ride they devised, modelled and promoted was called ‘The Spiral’ and represented the turmoil in the clown’s mind.

As well as a trophy presented by entrepreneur Theo Paphitis each of the team won an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Paris.

Maureen Arhagba, head of work-related learning at Greig City Academy, said: “I’m really proud of the team.

“They carefully thought through every aspect of their design – the backstory, the design and modelling and the promotional materials.

“They worked well together and allocated tasks within the team fairly, playing to their various strengths. I’m sure they’ll get a lot out of their visit to Paris.”