A York schoolboy has won an award from the Royal Society for his outstanding performance in the National Physics Olympiad.

St Peter’s School sixth former Daniel Spencer was one of only five students from his year group awarded the top prize after he impressed in the competition, which gives pupils the chance to apply their knowledge of physics to real-life scenarios.

The winners of the Year 13 age group are invited to represent their country at the International Physics Olympiad – and Daniel will hope to make the team with a repeat performance next year when his age qualifies him for selection.

Daniel was joined in receiving commendations in the Year 12 category by another Yorkshire physicist, Leeds Grammar School’s Philip Boyle Smith.

St Peter’s head of physics, David Morris, said: “Philip and Daniel did wonderfully well in the national AS Level paper and are both outstanding physics students.

“It was a great privilege for them to receive their awards at the Royal Society, and I wish them both success as they battle for a place in the British team in 2013.”