Writes Rachel Harrison, Assistant Librarian
On Wednesday 20th May, four of our students—Joshua A. (U3rds), Eashar S. (U3rds), Leo M. (U3rds) and Patrick H. (4ths)—travelled to central London to compete in the final of the National Literacy Trust Senior Reading Champions Quiz, held at the impressive Victory Services Club.
Having won their online regional heat in February, the team went on to compete against 23 schools from across the country, achieving a very respectable fifth place overall. Just two marks separated third and fifth place, highlighting how closely contested the final rankings were.
We were disappointed to miss out on the trophy, but we were proud of how close we came. We had a fantastic time, and it was great to focus on reading purely for pleasure.
The demanding quiz comprised 80 questions across eight rounds, including comedy vs horror, poetry and verse, myths and legends, and fantasy maps. With a prescribed reading list for just one round, the breadth of knowledge required made preparation particularly challenging.
During the day, students also had the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, a panel of authors. Christopher Edge, an award-winning children’s writer, is known for blending scientific ideas with adventure and elements of horror. Tia Fisher, an emerging author, has recently been shortlisted for the prestigious Carnegie Medal, while Elle McNicoll, a screenwriter and novelist, explores neurodiversity and real-life issues affecting young people in her work. Elle, in particular, shared advice for young writers, encouraging them to “find their own voices, draw on their own ideas and avoid using AI!”—guidance that strongly resonated with our pupils.
Despite the long day, the team represented the school with enthusiasm, knowledge and determination, returning with book tokens and free books as rewards for their efforts. The Library staff are incredibly proud of their achievement.
