CHILDREN from eight schools went head to head in an event that showcases talent in the performing arts.

The young performers  gave it their all in eight-minute productions at The Hawth Theatre in Crawley on Monday night.

Rock Challenge and J Rock is travelling across the UK this month for the 23rd year and its stop in Crawley covers three nights this week.

Each student is involved in everything from set construction and choreography to hair and make-up and costume design.
Children from The Academy, Selsey, won first place on Monday night with their performance, Desaparecidos, which was based in Argentina in 1976 during the Dirty War. They go on to the regional finals in April.

Second place went to St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill for its show Injustice, exposing the realities of the criminal justice system.

Tanbridge House School, Horsham, came third with its performance of Anne Frank’s life in Behind The Bookcase, while fourth place went to Worthing High School for Hidden Heroes.

Warden Park Secondary Academy in Haywards Heath and Worthing College also competed.

Councillor Sue Mullins from West Sussex County Council presented the first place trophy. 

She said: “I’m really impressed with the performances and the commitment of all the young people we have watched tonight. Every single young person was playing a part.

“They had obviously been rehearsing for weeks and weeks.”

Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York, who awarded the second place prize, said: “I’m always amazed by the scale of the positive impact Rock Challenge can have on so many young people in a relatively short period of time.”

Pick up tomorrow and Friday’s edition of The Argus for results from the rest of the week.