Pupils from the Robotics Club travelled to Oxford Brookes University earlier this term to take part in the regional First LEGO League (FLL) competition, an event that brings together schools from across the country to compete in robot performance, design, innovation and teamwork challenges.

The team delivered a standout performance in the Robot Game (Robot Performance) category, achieving a score of 290 points and securing first place and the Robot Game Award. The result reflected the sustained commitment pupils had shown in the weeks leading up to the event.

Mr Suki Singh, Head of Computing, said: “In the lead up to the event, the pupils dedicated countless break times to refining their robot missions, developing their innovation project and preparing for both the design and core values interviews.”

Below, Zixiu and Aryan reflect on their experience of the competition.

Early in the morning, the team gathered at Paddington Train Station, ready for the FLL Robotics Competition 2026. The station was busy and full of energy, with pupils chatting excitedly and eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Soon after, we boarded the train towards Oxford, and the excitement only intensified.

As soon as we boarded the train, we quickly turned it into a mobile rehearsal room as teams quietly practised presentation lines, reviewed our code for the final time, and mentally walked through each stage of the competition. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation; excitement hung in the air, but beneath it lay a layer of nerves. Some students sat in deep concentration, visualising their robot runs, while others spoke animatedly about strategies and possible outcomes. It was clear that we were all equally thrilled and anxious about what the day would bring.

Upon arriving at Oxford Brookes University, we were immediately struck by its strong engineering focus, with Formula One cars and racing models displayed at the entrance—an inspiring setting for a robotics competition. We moved straight into a practice run, which went smoothly and came to a total of 150 points, boosting our confidence. Afterwards, we gathered in the team area, where the atmosphere was focused and determined as we refined final details together. Soon after, we completed our first official robot game run, scoring 155 points-a strong and encouraging start to the competition.

The next part of the competition was centred around the presentation element. We delivered our presentations clearly and confidently on our robot design and innovation project, which explored archaeology and modern technology. We worked together effectively, supported one another, and believed that we had put out our best effort.

Next came our second robot game run, which turned out to be the most successful moment of the day. Before the run, the tension within the team was intense – everyone was silent, focused, and visibly nervous. However, as the robot completed mission after mission successfully, excitement grew rapidly. When the final score of 290 points was announced, over 100 points higher than we had anticipated – the entire team erupted with joy. We jumped, cheered, and celebrated together, overwhelmed with happiness. At that moment, team morale reached an all-time high, and the sense of achievement was unforgettable. This success was the result of strong teamwork, clear communication, and trust in one another. Every member played a crucial role, whether in coding, building, strategy, or emotional support. The joy we experienced was shared equally, and it truly reflected the teamwork that had brought us this far.

Our final run followed shortly after, and although we were slightly fatigued, our excitement remained high. Once again, the robot performed exceptionally well, scoring 260 points, which exceeded our expectations. The atmosphere within the team was once again filled with happiness and pride, as we celebrated another strong performance together.

After the competition concluded, Oxford Brookes University offered us a guided tour of the campus. Student ambassadors showed us the engineering department and workshops, giving us an insight into university-level engineering. We visited a workshop where students build race cars, learning about the machinery used to manufacture parts and the testing equipment used to evaluate performance. This experience was both fascinating and inspiring.

Finally, it was time for the prize giving. We sat together, waiting anxiously and hoping for a positive result, with dreams of advancing to the national finals. Although we did not win the champion’s award, we were thrilled to receive the Robot Game Award, having finished first with our 290-point run. While some of us felt slightly disappointed, this was quickly outweighed by pride in our achievement. Our teacher told us that it was the highest robot score he had ever seen during his time taking teams to robotics competitions, which made the moment even more special.

Looking back, this achievement was built on teamwork, friendship, dedication, and countless hours of hard work – after school, on weekends, and during holidays. We refined our code, improved our presentations, and supported each other throughout the process. We are extremely grateful to Mr Singh, our teacher and coach, whose guidance, encouragement, and commitment played a vital role in our success throughout the robotics competition. It was an incredible experience that we will never forget.