It was time to face the music for students at a secondary school’s X Factor-style singing competition, but only one contestant could be crowned the winner.

Twelve-year-old Christavie Francisco fought off teenagers to win the contest at Haverstock School with a moving rendition of Killing Me Softly with His Song at the finals on Friday.

Year 10 pupil Leah Legg-Mead, 15, came a close second, while Jasmina Sywak, 12, was third.

Dozens of hopefuls auditioned and battled it out on stage for weeks, but only eight singing acts made it through to the finals, where more than 200 students watched their classmates perform.

Teachers stood in the place of The X Factor’s celebrity judges, with one member of staff eagerly playing out the role of the show’s former “Mr Nasty”, Simon Cowell.

The annual contest was organised by sixth-form performing arts students.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere,” said Nikki Haydon, the school’s community partnerships and extended services coordinator. “It’s always one of the most popular occasions in the school year.”