Pupils tried to get their bottle rocket projects off the ground but watched some of their ideas fizzle out for the latest challenge of The Apprentice.

The remaining contestants in the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey competition were split into two teams and tasked with making their plastic projectiles go the furthest.

Last Monday, the youngsters went to the Science Museum for research where there was a show about how to make and launch your own rocket.

The launches took place on Thursday at the academy’s Marine Parade, Sheerness, site.

The Oasis Arrows, led by Tia Butcher, of Year 7, won after they managed to make their rocket travel a distance of 11m, using a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar for propulsion.

An alternative idea sought to use the force exerted from a balloon but their bubble burst when it popped prematurely and they did not have a backup.

Another Mentos and diet coke concoction also went flat.

The losing side, Team Blastoff, led by Year 8’s Jordan Collins, had tried and tested all of their rockets but, unfortunately for them, could not get one to take off on the day.

Their baking powder-fuelled missile failed to rise while their other project, which involved a foot pump, did not work because one of the pupils left the corks at home.

The teams were also sponsored for their rockets with the Oasis Arrows raising £295 and Team Blastoff raising £79.

Money this year will be going to Blue Town Heritage Centre.

At the elimination on Friday, the judges were Swale councillor Ken Pugh, Mike Brown of Sheppey Matters, teacher Karen Gill and Marisa Pieri, who was filling in for her sister Michelle Gobbi who owns You Women in Sheerness.

They decided Jordan Collins, as the leader of the losing team, would be let go.

Sharon Wood, the school’s head of business IT and enterprise, said teamwork let both groups down this week as well as organisation, apart from Paige Ashby-Clark, of Year 7, who impressed with her planning.

For their next task, pupils will be selling cinema tickets and refreshments for a showing of Big Hero 6 at Blue Town Heritage Centre on Wednesday at 4.30pm.