Schools' Challenge
Encyclopedia
Schools' Challenge is the national general knowledge
competition for schools in the United Kingdom
. It uses the same basic rules as University Challenge
, although it is affiliated with neither the game nor the television show.
Schools' Challenge has been running since 1979, and is divided into two sections. Senior Schools' Challenge is for students aged up to 18, with no lower age restriction. In practice the teams tend to draw on Form III to Upper VI. Each team comprises four members, two of whom must be no older than the normal age for a Form IV student (in 2010/11, born on or after 1 September 1995, or 1 August 1995 in Northern Ireland). The other two can be of any age. Junior Schools' Challenge is for students up to and including the normal age for a Form II student, or preparatory school
pupils: in 2010/11, born on or after 1 September 1997 (1 August 1997 in Northern Ireland). Again, there are four members in each team but there are no restrictions on the numbers of any students from a particular age group in this competition.
The competition is divided this way because of the incongruence between the independent school
system and grammar
or comprehensive school
s. In some independent school systems students attend a preparatory school until the age of 13, after which time they transfer to another school. Schools Challenge has had to work around this so that no school has an unfair advantage in terms of age.
The competition is divided up into regions, much like Secondary School public speaking or debating competitions. Each region has a coordinator, the 'Regional Organiser, who in turn answers to the national organizers.
The eight winners of regional competitions take part in the national finals to contest the Schools' Challenge Trophy. Teams who lose in the first round of this contest enter the repechage
contest for the Schools' Challenge Plate (and 5th overall place). Finals are usually contested in a single day at a central venue normally in London, but occasionally in other venues central to the qualifying teams.
The most successful team in the competition's history are Westminster School
, who won each year from 2005-2009. In addition, they were beaten finalists in 2005 and 2011 and semi-finalists in 2010.
On an interesting note, the same pupil has captained two of the last three winning schools-both Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby and Dollar Academy were captained by David Verghese, a former Junior Mastermind.
. Starter questions are asked to all contestants and the first to buzz must answer immediately (or the full question is passed to the other team). The team that correctly answers a buzzer question is then asked three 'bonus' questions which they may confer on and which may be passed to the other team. The main differences between Schools' Challenge and University Challenge are:
standard in many regions.
General knowledge
General knowledge has been defined by differential psychologists as referring to 'culturally valued knowledge communicated by a range of non-specialist media' General knowledge therefore encompasses a wide range of knowledge domains...
competition for schools in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It uses the same basic rules as University Challenge
University Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
, although it is affiliated with neither the game nor the television show.
Schools' Challenge has been running since 1979, and is divided into two sections. Senior Schools' Challenge is for students aged up to 18, with no lower age restriction. In practice the teams tend to draw on Form III to Upper VI. Each team comprises four members, two of whom must be no older than the normal age for a Form IV student (in 2010/11, born on or after 1 September 1995, or 1 August 1995 in Northern Ireland). The other two can be of any age. Junior Schools' Challenge is for students up to and including the normal age for a Form II student, or preparatory school
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
pupils: in 2010/11, born on or after 1 September 1997 (1 August 1997 in Northern Ireland). Again, there are four members in each team but there are no restrictions on the numbers of any students from a particular age group in this competition.
The competition is divided this way because of the incongruence between the independent school
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
system and grammar
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
or comprehensive school
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
s. In some independent school systems students attend a preparatory school until the age of 13, after which time they transfer to another school. Schools Challenge has had to work around this so that no school has an unfair advantage in terms of age.
The competition is divided up into regions, much like Secondary School public speaking or debating competitions. Each region has a coordinator, the 'Regional Organiser, who in turn answers to the national organizers.
The eight winners of regional competitions take part in the national finals to contest the Schools' Challenge Trophy. Teams who lose in the first round of this contest enter the repechage
Repechage
Repechage is a practice amongst ladder competitions that allows participants that failed to meet qualifying standards by a small margin to continue to the next round.- Types of repechage :...
contest for the Schools' Challenge Plate (and 5th overall place). Finals are usually contested in a single day at a central venue normally in London, but occasionally in other venues central to the qualifying teams.
The most successful team in the competition's history are Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, who won each year from 2005-2009. In addition, they were beaten finalists in 2005 and 2011 and semi-finalists in 2010.
Competition History - Senior
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Plate winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1981 | Monmouth School Monmouth School Monmouth School is an HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth, Monmouthshire in south east Wales. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Livery Companies... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1982 | Brentwood School Brentwood School (England) Brentwood School is an independent school in Brentwood, Essex, England. Educating boys and girls in a British public school tradition. Brentwood School is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1983 | King Henry VIII School Abergavenny King Henry VIII School Abergavenny King Henry VIII School Abergavenny is a comprehensive school in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, South Wales.- History :The modern school was formed by the merger of a number of schools in the town including King Henry VIII Grammar School, which was founded in 1542... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1984 | Monmouth School Monmouth School Monmouth School is an HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth, Monmouthshire in south east Wales. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Livery Companies... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1985 | Norwich School Norwich School Norwich School may refer to:*Norwich School of painters*Norwich School , an independent fee-paying school in Norwich, England... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1986 | Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Grammar School, Guildford The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form... |
Stamford School Stamford School Stamford School is an English independent school situated in the market town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. It has been a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference since 1920.-History:... |
unknown |
| 1987 | Dean Close School Dean Close School Dean Close School is a co-educational independent school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The school is divided into pre-prep, preparatory and senior schools located on separate but adjacent sites outside Cheltenham town centre, occupying the largest private land area in the town... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1988 | The Grange School | unknown | unknown |
| 1989 | Aylesbury Grammar School Aylesbury Grammar School Aylesbury Grammar School is a single-sex male grammar school in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, which educates 1,250 pupils.-Admissions:As a selective state school, its entry requirements are dictated by the exam taken at the age of 10-11... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1990 | King Henry VIII School King Henry VIII School King Henry VIII School is a coeducational Independent school founded in 1545 by John Hales, comprising a senior school and associated preparatory school located in Coventry, England... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1991 | Nottingham High School Nottingham High School Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1992 | Bryanston School Bryanston School Bryanston School is a co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Blandford, north Dorset, England, near the village of Bryanston. It was founded in 1928... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1993 | Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School is a grammar school located in Maidstone, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1549.-Admissions:The school takes boys at the age of 11 and over by examination and boys and girls at 16+ on their GCSE results. The school currently has almost 1200 students and approximately 120... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1994 | Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School is a grammar school located in Maidstone, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1549.-Admissions:The school takes boys at the age of 11 and over by examination and boys and girls at 16+ on their GCSE results. The school currently has almost 1200 students and approximately 120... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1995 | Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School Maidstone Grammar School is a grammar school located in Maidstone, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1549.-Admissions:The school takes boys at the age of 11 and over by examination and boys and girls at 16+ on their GCSE results. The school currently has almost 1200 students and approximately 120... |
Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby is a British independent school for day pupils, located in Great Crosby on Merseyside.... |
| 1996 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby is a British independent school for day pupils, located in Great Crosby on Merseyside.... |
unknown |
| 1997 | Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby is a British independent school for day pupils, located in Great Crosby on Merseyside.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1998 | The King's School, Canterbury The King's School, Canterbury The King's School is a British co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in the historic English cathedral city of Canterbury in Kent. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Eton Group.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1999 | Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys is a Grammar School and Type 2 Academy, for boys aged 11 to 18, in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has around 1100 pupils. Its catchment area includes southwest Devon and southeast Cornwall as well as Plymouth... |
Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Grammar School, Guildford The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form... |
unknown |
| 2000 | Colchester Royal Grammar School Colchester Royal Grammar School Colchester Royal Grammar School is a grammar school in Colchester, Essex, founded in AD 1206 and granted two Royal Charters by Henry VIII and by Elizabeth I .-Admissions:... |
Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Grammar School, Guildford The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form... |
unknown |
| 2001 | The King's School, Canterbury The King's School, Canterbury The King's School is a British co-educational independent school for both day and boarding pupils in the historic English cathedral city of Canterbury in Kent. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Eton Group.... |
unknown | Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Grammar School, Guildford The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form... |
| 2002 | Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School | Royal Grammar School, Guildford Royal Grammar School, Guildford The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form... |
Woodbridge School Woodbridge School Woodbridge School is an independent school in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, founded in 1577, for the poor of Woodbridge. It was later supported by the Seckford Scheme.Woodbridge School has been co-educational since 1975.-History:... |
| 2003 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
unknown | unknown |
| 2004 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
unknown |
| 2005 | Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Manchester Grammar School Manchester Grammar School The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England... |
unknown |
| 2006 | Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Solihull School Solihull School Solihull School is a British Independent school situated near the centre of Solihull, West Midlands, England.2010 saw Solihull School celebrate its 450th anniversary since its foundation in 1560.... |
unknown |
| 2007 | Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Bedford School Bedford School Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom... |
unknown |
| 2008 | Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Manchester Grammar School Manchester Grammar School The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England... |
unknown |
| 2009 | Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
Solihull School Solihull School Solihull School is a British Independent school situated near the centre of Solihull, West Midlands, England.2010 saw Solihull School celebrate its 450th anniversary since its foundation in 1560.... |
| 2010 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
The King's School, Worcester The King's School, Worcester The King's School, Worcester is an English independent school refounded by Henry VIII in 1541. It occupies a site adjacent to Worcester Cathedral on the banks of the River Severn in the centre of the city of Worcester... |
Abingdon School Abingdon School Abingdon School is a British day and boarding independent school for boys situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire , previously known as Roysse's School. In 1998 a formal merger took place between Abingdon School and Josca's, a preparatory school four miles to the west at Frilford... |
| 2011 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
Westminster School Westminster School The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain... |
Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
Competition History - Junior
| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Plate Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Port Regis Prep School Port Regis Prep School Port Regis School is a preparatory school for boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 13. The school is located in 140 acres of parkland on the Dorset / Wiltshire border in Southern England.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1981 | Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS.The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe is a selective grammar school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. As a state school it does not charge fees for students to attend, but they must pass an entrance exam... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1982 | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 1983 | Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School is a British independent school for boys aged 4–19. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and of the Haileybury Group.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1984 | King's Hall School, Taunton | unknown | unknown |
| 1985 | Eagle House Eagle House Eagle House is a Queen Anne house built in the Dutch style, in 1705. It is on London Road, Mitcham, in the London Borough of Merton.The building dates back to 1705 and was occupied by John Bond around 1780. The grounds of the house formed a triangle, bounded by London Road, Bond Road and Western Road... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1986 | Nottingham High School Nottingham High School Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1987 | King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent secondary school in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham and occupies the same site as, and is twinned with, King Edward's School... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1988 | Millfield Preparatory School Millfield Preparatory School Millfield Preparatory School is a Preparatory school in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. It is the feeder school for Millfield and part of the Millfield school group. At Millfield, the prep' school is commonly referred to as Edgarley.... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1989 | Bablake School Bablake School Bablake School is a co-educational Independent school located in Coventry, England and founded in 1344 by Queen Isabella, making it one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1990 | Exeter School Exeter School Exeter School is a selective independent co-educational day school for pupils between the ages of 7 and 18 located in Exeter, Devon, England. In 2010 there were around 180 pupils in the Junior School and 670 in the Senior School... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1991 | St Peter’s School, Lympstone | unknown | unknown |
| 1992 | Hutchesons' Grammar School Hutchesons' Grammar School Hutchesons' Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in the southside of Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded by the brothers George Hutcheson and Thomas Hutcheson in 1641 and was opened originally to teach orphans, starting with "twelve male children, indigent orphans".In 1876 a girls'... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1993 | Dulwich College Preparatory School Dulwich College Preparatory School Dulwich Preparatory School DCPS is a private preparatory school in Dulwich, south London, England for children aged 3–13 years. It was founded in 1885, and is the largest boys preparatory school in the United Kingdom. It will be known formally as "Dulwich Prep London" from September 2011.The... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1994 | Hutchesons' Grammar School Hutchesons' Grammar School Hutchesons' Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in the southside of Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded by the brothers George Hutcheson and Thomas Hutcheson in 1641 and was opened originally to teach orphans, starting with "twelve male children, indigent orphans".In 1876 a girls'... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1995 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1996 | King Edward VII School King Edward VII School King Edward VII School is a public school located within the city of Johannesburg in South Africa's Gauteng Province, one of the historically significant Milner Schools.-History:... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1997 | Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys is a Grammar School and Type 2 Academy, for boys aged 11 to 18, in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has around 1100 pupils. Its catchment area includes southwest Devon and southeast Cornwall as well as Plymouth... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1998 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
unknown | unknown |
| 1999 | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
unknown | unknown |
| 2000 | Prebendal School Prebendal School The Prebendal School is a private preparatory school in Chichester, situated opposite Chichester Cathedral. It is a boarding and day school with roughly 150 pupils including the choristers of the cathedral choir. Most students go on to English public schools such as Winchester, Westminster, Eton,... |
unknown | unknown |
| 2001 | Bourne Grammar School Bourne Grammar School Bourne Grammar School is a co-educational selective state secondary school in Bourne, Lincolnshire. The school has been awarded Arts College Status. It is situated on South Road .-Heraldry:... |
unknown | The King's School, Rochester The King's School, Rochester The King's School, Rochester is an independent school in Rochester, Kent. It is a cathedral school, and being part of the foundation of Rochester Cathedral, the Dean of Rochester Cathedral serves as the chair of the school's governing body... |
| 2002 | George Heriot’s School | unknown | unknown |
| 2003 | Manchester Grammar School Manchester Grammar School The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England... |
The King's School, Rochester The King's School, Rochester The King's School, Rochester is an independent school in Rochester, Kent. It is a cathedral school, and being part of the foundation of Rochester Cathedral, the Dean of Rochester Cathedral serves as the chair of the school's governing body... |
unknown |
| 2004 | Milbourne Lodge Preparatory School | unknown | unknown |
| 2005 | The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff is a coeducational Welsh independent senior, prep and pre-prep day school. It is located in Llandaff, Cardiff. The school is part of the Woodard Schools foundation, as well as having many links to the neighbouring Llandaff Cathedral.In 1880 Dean John Vaughan opened a... |
unknown | unknown |
| 2006 | The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff is a coeducational Welsh independent senior, prep and pre-prep day school. It is located in Llandaff, Cardiff. The school is part of the Woodard Schools foundation, as well as having many links to the neighbouring Llandaff Cathedral.In 1880 Dean John Vaughan opened a... |
The Junior King's School, Canterbury | King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School, Birmingham King Edward's School is an independent secondary school in Birmingham, England, founded by King Edward VI in 1552. It is part of the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and is widely regarded as one of the most academically successful schools in the country, according to... |
| 2007 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
unknown | Queen Mary's Grammar School Queen Mary's Grammar School Queen Mary's Grammar School is a selective grammar school located in Sutton Road, Walsall, England, about a mile from the town centre.-Admissions:... |
| 2008 | Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
Queen Mary's Grammar School Queen Mary's Grammar School Queen Mary's Grammar School is a selective grammar school located in Sutton Road, Walsall, England, about a mile from the town centre.-Admissions:... |
Milbourne Lodge Preparatory School |
| 2009 | Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby is a British independent school for day pupils, located in Great Crosby on Merseyside.... |
Magdalen College School | Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Boys is a Grammar School and Type 2 Academy, for boys aged 11 to 18, in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has around 1100 pupils. Its catchment area includes southwest Devon and southeast Cornwall as well as Plymouth... |
| 2010 | Dollar Academy Dollar Academy Dollar Academy was founded in 1818, which makes it the oldest co-educational day and boarding school in the world. The open campus occupies a site in the centre of the thriving town of Dollar in Central Scotland, less than 40 minutes drive from the two main Scottish cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh... |
The Pilgrims' School The Pilgrims' School The Pilgrims' School, Winchester, is a boys' preparatory school - with a co-ed pre-prep extension - in the Cathedral Close in Winchester, Hampshire - an ancient capital of England. The school is famous for The Pilgrims' Hall, which contains England's oldest surviving wood double hammer-beamed roof,... |
The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff The Cathedral School, Llandaff is a coeducational Welsh independent senior, prep and pre-prep day school. It is located in Llandaff, Cardiff. The school is part of the Woodard Schools foundation, as well as having many links to the neighbouring Llandaff Cathedral.In 1880 Dean John Vaughan opened a... |
| 2011 | The Perse School The Perse School The Perse Upper School is an independent secondary co-educational day school in Cambridge, England. The school was founded in 1615 by Dr Stephen Perse, a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and has existed on several different sites in the city before its present home on Hills... |
The Pilgrims' School The Pilgrims' School The Pilgrims' School, Winchester, is a boys' preparatory school - with a co-ed pre-prep extension - in the Cathedral Close in Winchester, Hampshire - an ancient capital of England. The school is famous for The Pilgrims' Hall, which contains England's oldest surviving wood double hammer-beamed roof,... |
Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school for boys in Lancaster, England. The school has been awarded specialist Technology College and Language College status. Old boys belong to The Old Lancastrians... |
On an interesting note, the same pupil has captained two of the last three winning schools-both Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby and Dollar Academy were captained by David Verghese, a former Junior Mastermind.
Rules
The game is played to similar rules to University ChallengeUniversity Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
. Starter questions are asked to all contestants and the first to buzz must answer immediately (or the full question is passed to the other team). The team that correctly answers a buzzer question is then asked three 'bonus' questions which they may confer on and which may be passed to the other team. The main differences between Schools' Challenge and University Challenge are:
- No points are deducted for incorrectly interrupting a starter question on the buzzer.
- Bonus questions are worth 10 points each and are passed across to the other team if answered incorrectly.
- A team answering the starter and all three subsequent bonuses correctly gains an extra bonus of 10 points: thus 50 points are available per round.
- There are no picture or music rounds.
Equipment
8-player lockout buzzers, common in quizzes of this type are used and are supplied by tournament organisers if a hosting school cannot supply the equipment. While tournament rules do not specify a manufacturer, the Jaser Quizmaster system is the de factoDe facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
standard in many regions.