A school that has been putting the spark back into science has been awarded its second specialist status.

The news proved a hit with students at Chipping Norton School in Burford Road who enjoy the hands-on experiments laid on by their teachers so much they have voted it their favourite subject in a recent poll.

Some of the exciting tasks students look forward to in their lessons include fire juggling with methane gas, as demonstrated by teacher Rebecca Sharrocks, and the chance to dissect a real heart.

Miss Sharrocks gives the hands-on lesson to Year Eight students. Head of science Vanessa Wiltshire said the lessons worked because teachers were passionate about what they did.

She said: “This enthusiasm clearly rubs off on the students they teach.”

The school is now planning to build a £4m science block to house 10 laboratories, three preparation rooms and storage and technical facilities.

The school already has specialist status — which affords schools extra Government funding for their best subjects — for performing arts.