A SCHOOL club won a national award at a ceremony at the House of Lords.

The after-school science club at Didcot Girls' School was named 'outstanding STEM Club' at the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Inspiration Awards.

The event is staged by STEM Learning and celebrates individuals and organisations working to inspire young people in STEM subjects, and took place earlier this month.

Six schools from as far afield as Scotland and Gibraltar were shortlisted for the category, but Didcot Girls' School took first place.

The club's coordinator Lynn Nickerson was handed the award by Lord Sainsbury, who praised the club for providing 'practical hands-on science experience in a fun and supportive environment'.

The club has been running for more than 20 years and many former members now have careers in STEM.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council, which sponsored the awards, is sending the winners to the world-renowned nuclear research facility CERN in Switzerland.

Two teachers and four students will get to go on the trip and meet top engineers, technicians and physicists.

Yvonne Baker, chief executive of STEM Learning, said: "All our winners have excelled in their fields and I am delighted that we can recognise and celebrate their expertise and passion."

Tom Goodenough, headteacher of Didcot Girls' School, said: "We are extremely proud that the hard work of Dr Nickerson and the dedication of our young scientists has been recognised in this way.

"STEM education is vital to our school and it is very satisfying that it can be delivered in a fun, exciting way that motivates students to achieve great success both in and out of the classroom."