A protoype of the world's fastest car topped the timetable for an unusual tutorial aimed at firing up enthusiasm for science, maths and engineering.

The Crow Hills Road school received a special visit from representatives of the Bloodhound Project who are working with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Primary Engineer to try to ignite more enthusiasm for the subjects among the younger generation.

The Bloodhound supersonic car is a four-year project of a land speed record vehicle with the goal of achieving 1,000mph (Mach 1.4) in 2011. The 6400kg, 12.8m long vehicle will be powered by a combination of jet, rocket and piston-engine.

The project is specifically designed to get schoolchildren interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and raise the numbers entering technology careers.

Priory scholars were joined during the day by youngsters from feeder primary schools, who had a chance to try their skills at making their own mini-cars. Priory recently celebrated the opening of a state of the art technology block.

The school already has a Greenpower Club, which meets once a week and pupils have been using their engineering skills to build their own electric car.

Greenpower is a company dedicated to promoting engineering and technology as careers to students.
This is achieved through hands-on projects to design and race an electric car.

The cars are put to the test in special race days.