2026 Academic Challenge is underway: let the games begin!

Drum roll, please… the 2026 Academic Challenge is underway! A thrilling test not only of knowledge, but of speed of thought, teamwork and composure under pressure.

Each year, all nine houses go head to head in teams of four in a fast-paced, University Challenge–style contest that is every bit as demanding as it is entertaining. The atmosphere is electric — tense head-to-head battles, rapid-fire buzzers, collective problem-solving and passionate house support combine to make this one of the most exciting events on the academic calendar.

The Academic Challenge gives pupils the chance to showcase their thinking across a remarkable range of disciplines, rewarding breadth of knowledge, clarity of reasoning and true collaboration. Just as importantly, it celebrates intellectual curiosity and academic ambition, while giving pupils of different strengths and year groups the opportunity to shine.

Let the games begin!

Mr Lewis, mathematics teacher and Head of Year 12, leads the Challenge and explains how it works…

For anyone new to the Academic Challenge, can you briefly explain how it works and what pupils are asked to do?

This is essentially university challenge for the houses. The 9 houses put forward a team of 4 pupils and in a series of head to head matches where they answer starter and bonus questions, they progress to the top prize which is the Academic Challenge Shield. There is also a middle prize which is the plate, and a lower tier prize called the bowl.

What happens in the heats, and how do teams progress to the final?

In the heat rounds there are 3 groups each with 3 houses. The groups are created based on the positions of the teams in the previous years competition. The 3 teams play each other in 3 x 10 minute matches and it is the overall points score that determines which competition they progress to. The bottom team from each group goes on to compete for the bowl. The top team goes on to compete for the shield. Of the middle-placed teams, the highest scorers progress to the shield, whilst the other 2 teams battle it out for the plate. With 4 teams in the shield, we have a semi-final, 3rd/4th place play-off and then to finish the grand final.

What disciplines and range of questions are covered?

A huge variety of questions are covered; from ancient gods to the Beckhams, from works by Jane Austen to Disney films, from capital cities of the world to characters in comic books. There is a bit of everything!

Do any pupils surprise you during the Challenge?

Indeed. Every team must field at least one pupil from Year 9-11 and it is usually one of these younger pupils that can produce some quite stunning answers. Every year we now award the MAFR award (named after the great exponent of the competition, Mr Michael Raw) which is given by the Headmaster to the junior member of the 9 houses who impresses the most in the group stages. It is often a tricky decision deciding who to award it to as there are so many good performances every year!

What skills does the Academic Challenge develop that go beyond academic knowledge?

Speed of thought; you really do have to be quick to hit the buzzer and answer before the opposition do.

Teamwork & trust: On the bonus question section every member needs to work together to come up with the right answer. There have been many occasions when the softly spoken member of the team has the right answer and the teams who value everyone’s input and listen to them tend to be the strongest teams in the competition.

Why is this kind of academic competition important within the wider life of the school?

There are many ways in which pupils can demonstrate their skills and strengths in the school, and from an academic perspective, this gives the pupils the chance to show their intellectual talents in a competitive setting. For some of our fantastic all-round pupils, this is another string to their bow, but for some pupils who maybe don’t shine as brightly on stage or on the sporting pitches for example, this is their opportunity to showcase themselves. The academic challenge is tense, it is exiting, it is utterly competitive and thoroughly compelling, and it is held in high regard by all the pupils.

Can you sum up what makes the Academic Challenge special in one sentence?

This is an enthralling competition to see which house can navigate the pressures of intellectual battle to reign supreme each year as the shield winners and academic challenge champions.