Guiseley School shines in national reading competition

Held by the National Literacy Trust to celebrate readers and book lovers, and running for three consecutive years, it is the only national reading quiz dedicated entirely to fiction books. It is made possible by funding support from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).

Schools from across the country gathered at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on June 6 to celebrate their star readers. Throughout March, almost 500 UK teams competed across over 22 heats, meaning that the team from Guiseley School, comprising Eliza, Rosie, Elin and Arthur, placed sixth out of 2,000 students who took part in the quiz. To mark their achievement, the team was sent home with a regional trophy and certificates for each team member.

Every quiz finalist was sent home with a selection of free books, thanks to generous donations from Pan Macmillan, Peters Ltd, Scholastic, Barrington Stoke, Firefly Press and Penguin Random House.

L-R: Anthony McGowan, Jennifer Killick, Jasbinder Bilan, Benjamin Dean, quiz host Mr Dilly (Image: submitted)

Eminent children’s authors joined the event and held an insightful Q&A panel, including Anthony McGowan, Benjamin Dean, Jasbinder Bilan, and Jennifer Killick. They talked about their inspiring reading experiences and celebrated the reading knowledge of the finalists. The competition was hosted by engaging quizmaster, performer, and educator Mr Dilly, who provided an entertaining, as well as educational, experience for teams taking part.

Henrietta Roberts, Senior Project Manager at the National Literacy Trust, said : “It has been a wonderful occasion celebrating this year’s finalists, as well as the librarians who support them on their reading journeys and the authors who inspire them. I am in awe of these young people and their reading knowledge and, with fewer than 1 in 2 children enjoying reading, I am so glad that the quiz is helping promote reading for pleasure. This event is very special in the way that it celebrates keen readers, validates their knowledge and gives them time to truly shine.

“The quiz is an important part of the National Literacy Trust’s mission to encourage reading for pleasure, from showing that reading is for everyone, to getting books into the hands of children. We know that children who read regularly and have books at home are six times more likely to read above the expected level for their age, which means they are more likely to succeed at school, have more job opportunities when they grow up, and have better mental wellbeing. We look forward to welcoming many more keen readers to the quiz in the future, whether they are defending a regional title or having a go for the first time.”

The national reading competition (Image: submitted)

Barbara Hayes, CEO at ALCS, said: “ALCS is so proud to sponsor the National Reading Champions Quiz for another year. We have been blown away by the knowledge and enthusiasm of all the students who took part. The scale of the competition and the amazing job it does to inspire a love of reading in so many young people is a credit to the National Literacy Trust. As an organisation that champions authors, we are aware of the immense value that literacy provides to wider society. The authors, journalists and scriptwriters of tomorrow are the children who are inspired to pick up a book today. Many congratulations to Guiseley School and all the students who participated!”