A team of four pupils from Edge Grove School, in Aldenham, Hertfordshire, triumphed over tough competition to be crowned national champions in the Primary category of the Britannica What on Earth Quiz.
The Edge Grove team of Josh Carr (Year 5), Elliot Walker (Year 5), Reuben Colton (Year 6), Sophia Weavers (Year 6) had battled through the preliminary online heat against more than 100 other schools, to finish in the top four primary schools nationally. With this achievement came the invitation to attend the live national finals at Stationers’ Hall in the City of London on 27 November.
The pupils, all with a keen interest in the world around them, had joined the School’s “What On Earth?” General Knowledge Club for pupils in Years 5 and 6, founded by Edge Grove Head of English Jane Broadis in September.
Pupils read the Britannica What on Earth? Magazine together each week, and then participate in quizzes based on the content. Designed to promote a love of reading and learning through non-fiction, the magazine is ideal for nurturing the natural curiosity many children have in their world, and helps them unravel the truth in a modern world full of misinformation – while discovering the true value of non-fiction.
Using the results from these weekly quizzes, Edge Grove General Knowledge Club members then voted on who they thought should represent the School at the What on Earth Schools Quiz Challenge.
In the Final, the team emerged from the first two Rounds (1. Listen and Learn – a 20 minute lecture with questions to follow and 2. Pictures and Puzzles) in second place, and then in a tense, nail-biting final round, the Edge Grove team beat the opposition, Magdalen College Junior School, by just 1 point to be crowned Junior Champions.
This win meant the team was then pitted against the winning secondary team, representing Wymondham High Academy in the Grand Final. Pupils put in a brave performance against older children, coming back from 0-5 down to lose by only two points with a final score of 9-11.
Team Manager and the inspiration behind the School’s participation in the competition, Head of English Mrs Broadis said, “I couldn’t have hoped for a better result, which affirms my belief in the power of reading. I see it all the time; when curiosity is fed through reading and a love of knowledge, children succeed!”
Ed Balfour added “I am thrilled and unbelievably proud, as is the whole school, of this quartet of Edge Grove quizzers, and their support team, who have earned this tremendous accolade. They are a fabulous example of Edge Grove commitment, determination and team spirit, and should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved – they are deserved national champions!”
About Britannica’s What on Earth! Magazine
Britannica’s What on Earth! Magazine is a highly accessible and engaging non-fiction monthly magazine designed for all curious young minds featuring amazing facts, extraordinary feats and awe-inspiring true-life stories. Non-fiction is often relegated to ‘information books’ or ‘reference’ denying them the narrative status they deserve. It is the goal of What on Earth! Magazine to promote non fiction as a key motivator for children to develop a lifelong love of learning through reading.
