Promotion to premier spot as rock champs too cool for school

Team told they are too good to compete against Scottish schools

Scottish Rock Challenge champs Arbroath High have been told they are too good to compete with Scotland’s schools at a UK competition.

After dominating the prestigious stage competition’s Scottish finals for two years, the pupils have been invited to test their skills against the best talents the north of England has to offer.

The youngsters beat nine Scottish schools at the Caird Hall in Dundee on Friday, and will head to an all-UK grand final in Milton Keynes on July 6.

But it has emerged organisers UK Rock Challenge have asked the school to compete against eight English academies, art colleges, and ultra-talented Peterhead Academy in a northern “premier division” from next year.

The group will be asked to perform at future Dundee heats, but not compete.

Spokeswoman for the organisers Sophia Campbell said: “As Arbroath High School have now won the Rock Challenge Scottish Final for the second consecutive year they have been offered the opportunity to compete in the Rock Challenge Northern Premier Division in 2016.

“As the standard of productions across the United Kingdom has improved year on year a ‘northern premier’ and ‘southern premier’ division have been developed to allow teams reaching a high level of achievement to compete against teams of a similar standard.

“This means that in 2016 Arbroath High School will showcase at one of the Dundee Rock Challenge heats, rather than competing, before travelling to compete in the Northern Premier Final held at Grimsby Auditorium in June.”

To qualify for the Scottish final, a team must have placed first at their local heat or have been chosen as one of the best runners-up across all of the Scottish heats, held this year in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness.

Angus Council’s education convener Sheena Welsh said: “Congratulations to all the young people at Arbroath High School – this is a wonderful achievement.

“I wish them all the best at the final in Milton Keynes as they showcase their enthusiasm, energy and commitment to producing a fantastic entertaining display.”

As the standard of productions across the United Kingdom has improved year on year a ‘northern premier’ and ‘southern premier’ division have been developed. SPOKESWOMAN SOPHIA CAMPBELL

Arbroath High have dominated the Scottish Rock Challenge and will now compete in England.