Our annual Box Car Rally returned for its fifth year this summer, bringing together more pupils than ever before for a spectacular day of creativity, engineering and teamwork at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.

The event welcomed 24 teams from 13 schools, including, for the first time, Year 6 pupils from North Worcester Primary Academy, making this year's rally the largest in its history.

The Box Car Rally is a unique challenge that allows pupils to apply skills developed throughout their primary education in a real-world setting. Working in teams, pupils design and build their own box cars, create themed costumes, prepare food and develop a team identity before competing in front of judges and supporters.

Throughout the project, pupils draw upon knowledge from a range of curriculum areas, including engineering, design and technology, art, textiles and food technology. Teams are responsible for designing a working steering mechanism, constructing their themed vehicle, creating costumes and planning and preparing a menu to match their chosen theme.

The competition was judged across four categories: mechanism, structure, textiles and food, before scores were combined with points earned on the famous hill climb course. Drivers were challenged to steer their vehicles accurately down the course and stop within a target area, earning additional points for precision.

Despite exceptionally hot weather, pupils demonstrated excellent behaviour, enthusiasm and resilience throughout the day, embracing every aspect of the challenge and representing their schools with pride.

Category Winners

• Mechanism Award – Northwick Manor Primary School, Team 1 – The Simpsons theme
• Food Award – North Worcester Primary Academy, Team 1 – Minions theme
• Textiles Award – Dudley Wood Primary School, Team 2 – Toy Story theme
• Structure Award – Summerhill Primary School, Teams 1 and 2 – World Cup theme

The judging panel included representatives from Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Worcester Bosch, Hayfisher Productions, which was filming the event, and members of the Rivers Executive Team.

Overall Winners

Third Place – Cutnall Green CofE Primary School – Harry Potter theme

Second Place – Unity Academy – Cheese theme

First Place – Dudley Wood Primary School, Team 1 – Scooby-Doo theme

The Box Car Rally has become a highlight of the Rivers calendar and is one of the final enrichment experiences enjoyed by Year 6 pupils before they move on to secondary school. The event celebrates creativity, innovation and collaboration, while providing children with lasting memories of their primary school years.

A huge thank-you goes to the staff, volunteers, judges, sponsors and partners whose hard work and commitment make this event possible. The rally continues to demonstrate trust-wide collaboration and our extraordinary education for every pupil.