What on Earth! Magazine’s Schools Quiz Challenge came to a thrilling conclusion on Monday, with the “Wymondham Wizards” from Wymondham High Academy in Norfolk being crowned champions for 2023.
The monthly children’s publication has been on the hunt for the school with the best general knowledge. Following two live heats earlier in November, the final eight -four primary and four secondary – made their way to Stationers’ Hall in London for the live final. i was proud to be the media partner for the event, having run three successful pull-outs of What on Earth! puzzles and games in the newspaper.
Monday’s competition began with the teams competing in group rounds to make it through to the final head-to-head stage. The teams were quizzed with questions across topics including science, geography and animals – all of which had been inspired by past editions of the magazine.
Thorn Grove School, Bishop’s Stortford, and Westbourne Prep School, Penarth, took fourth and third place respectively for the primary category (8-11 year olds). Loreto College, St Alban’s, and Soham Village College, Cambridgeshire, came fourth and third for the secondary group (11-14 year olds).
Oxford’s Magdalen College Junior and Hertfordshire’s Edge Grove School then battled it out for first place in the primary school category, with the latter taking the honours.
The competition heated up when Weaverham High School in Cheshire and Wymondham High Academy competed for the top spot in the secondary category.
With the highest overall score, “Wymondham Wizards” from Wymondham High Academy were presented with their richly-deserved trophy. “It’s been one of the funnest things I have done all year,” said one of the winning team. “It’s been very enjoyable for everyone here.”
A teacher from the school added: “We are so proud of all of the students in our Wymondham High team. They have been amazing and such a credit to the school. After such a tense final, it’s just amazing to see them have that success.”
Christopher Lloyd, founder and chief executive of What on Earth! Magazines and quizmaster for the event, said their second national quiz had been a huge success. “I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of our young quizzers during the last few weeks of competitions,” he said.