STUDENTS proved to be word perfect as they took part in an inaugural school spelling bee.

Wordsmiths from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science went head-to-head in an inter-house competition to find the school’s first ever champion speller.

Representing school houses Emerald Eagles, Topaz Tigers, Ruby Rattlesnakes and Sapphire Sharks, pupils Joshua Jackson, 14, Jonathan Deery, 13 and Abi Gould, 12 waged a war of words alongside Ruby Rattlesnakes Heather McKim, 14 and Saffi Ullah, 15 in a knockout three word challenge.

Spelling all three words correctly students Abi Gould and Saffi Ullah then went head-to-head in a nail biting tie break final with Saffi correctly spelling the word phlegm to take the trophy for Ruby Rattlesnakes – narrowly defeating Abi who failed to spell diarrhoea.

“I feel really proud to be DSMS’s first ever spelling bee champion,” said Saffi who celebrated his 15th birthday alongside his win.

“I didn’t really practice that much so I think I must just be naturally good at spelling.

“The words I was given in the first round: inarticulate, dehydrated and circumnavigate were all fairly easy but I was surprised to get phlegm right as that was quite hard.”

All five finalists were presented with certificates by Father Damon Bage, Vicar of St Mary’s Cockerton, and DSMS school governor.

“I was really impressed with the quality of spelling in the knock out round and the final tiebreak,” said Father Damon.

“There were some very tricky words which I found quite difficult to spell myself.

“All of the students did really well especially having to perform on stage in front of the whole school.”