A TEAM of sixth-form cyber apprentices from the Chase claimed the runners-up prize in the national finals of the UK Cyber Centurion Competition.

Narrowly missing out on the top prize in the eight-team contest, their performance was nevertheless outstanding, as they were leading the way in the scoring for much of the event.

The team's mentor, Tom Dold, a former Chase student now doing a higher apprenticeship with local company SDL and the National Cyber Skills Centre, said: "Thousands of new jobs will be created in this new area of cyber security in the UK over the next ten years, and this is a phenomenal achievement for the team. They really are the next generation of Malvern’s brilliant brains which will ultimately enable the UK to compete with the rest of the world in technology."

The Cyber-security Apprentice Development Scheme (CADS) is an innovative programme involving QinetiQ and 3SDL, and the Chase, Hanley Castle and Pershore high schools.

John Palmer, head of IT at the Chase, said: "Students have had the opportunity to gain a unique insight into a world that you won’t find on any A Level course - cyber threats, terrorism, espionage and organised crime.

"We must thank 3SDL, QinetiQ and the National Cyber Skills Centre for supporting our students in gaining this excellent experience of the growing industry sector of cyber security.”