They know their stuff – school’s book quiz team reaches national final again

A team of voracious bookworms has again made it to the final of a national reading competition they won last year.

Colfe’s School in Horn Park Lane, Greenwich will now join 21 other teams to battle it out at the live final. Some 500 schools have taken part in heats.

The four from Colfe’s School won their regional heat of the National Literacy Trust’s National Reading Champions Quiz, beating 21 other teams from South-east London. 

The team of Reuben, Leila, Natalie and Verity sailed through to victory in the opening stage of the only national reading quiz which is entirely dedicated to knowledge of fiction books. 

The quiz final will be held in the capital on June 6, when they can experience the excitement of competing live and enjoy special appearances from renowned authors. 

This is the third year of the National Reading Champions Quiz from the National Literacy Trust, thanks to funding from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).  

Schools from across the UK could sign up to take part, and there are heats taking place across the country throughout March to determine the other finalists.  

All pupils taking part are aged between 10 and 14. 

The Colfe’s team worked collaboratively to battle through eight rounds of fiction quizzing, focusing on a wide range of books and themes. Teams from Bonus Pastor Catholic College and Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School tied for second place. 

Henrietta Roberts, senior project manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: “We are so excited to be able to run the National Reading Champions Quiz for the third year in a row.

“It is a chance for schools to put their best readers in the spotlight, the same as they might do for sports stars or art whizzes. 

“The team from Colfe’s School has done a fantastic job by winning their heat and we look forward to seeing them at the London final in June.  

“It’s so important for children to feel proud of their reading knowledge, and we are so pleased to be able to put on a fun and educational national quiz event to showcase this.” 

School librarian Henrietta Englefield said: “We are delighted to be representing South East London in the national final again.

“Colfe’s has a strong focus on promoting reading for pleasure, especially with this age group, and it has been lovely to see the enthusiasm for participating in book quizzes. Our number one aim in book quizzes has always been to have fun.”

Pictured top: Rueben and Leila doing a bit or revision (Picture: Colfe’s School)