NSCG Congratulates Local Students on International Success
14 July 2026
Students from Staffordshire’s Endon High School recently saw international success in South Korea, when they became the first UK team to secure the FIRST® LEGO® League International Engineering Excellence Award.
Following a decade of support from Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group’s (NSCG) LEGO® Innovation Studio, year 10 learners from Endon High School, known as End_Tec, competed against 45 of the world's leading FIRST® LEGO® League teams from across the globe before claiming the prestigious title.
The annual competitions see young people up to the age of 16 designing, building and programming robots to complete tasks set by a judging panel, and every year NSCG is proud to host both FIRST® LEGO® League Explore and Challenge Regional Finals. Having hosted this year’s Regional Finals at NSCG Newcastle College in February, NSCG were delighted to see a local team thrive.
After incredible regional and national wins, End_Tec then faced the mammoth task of raising £26,000 in funds to reach the Open International at Jeonju National University of Education in South Korea, which they achieved through obtaining local company sponsorship, hosting a quiz night, family fun day and plenty of bake sales throughout the school year.
Megan Clayton, LEGO® Education Innovation Studio and Schools Liaison Officer for NSCG said, “I have been working closely with Endon High School for as long as I have been working at the College, and it’s clear to see how much time their teacher, Shaun Mitchell, has dedicated to his students. Every year the students that come to compete at regionals display huge personal and technical developments over a short period of time, and it’s a testament to their school environment.
“This year; Owen, Malachi, James, Owen and Harry won our regional competition, went on to win the national competition in Harrogate against 60 other teams across the UK, and then blew everyone away in South Korea by winning the International Engineering Excellence Award. It has been an honour to watch them grow not only in this competition but also in themselves too. They are so much more confident than when they started this a few years ago and this accolade proves exactly that. Well done guys, you deserve it!”
The studios at NSCG give everyone the chance to explore STEM learning through LEGO® Education. With hands-on, play-based learning, participants not only develop new skills but also take away valuable experiences that stay with them beyond the session. A new studio will be introduced to the NSCG’s newest acquisition NSCG Leek College in the new academic year, creating further opportunities for young people across Staffordshire.
NSCG is massively proud of End_Tec’s success and happy to have been a part of their journey.