Great Yarmouth pupils take part in English Schools Chess Championships, Suffolk

Great Yarmouth pupils took part in the English Schools Chess Championships 2023/24 held on Thursday 16th Nov 2023 in Suffolk. The event saw two teams of six pupils each - Team A and Team B - compete against other schools in the county.

The first round for Team A was very successful, winning 5 out of the 6 matches against Benjamin Britten High. Round 2 and Round 3 were much harder though unfortunately with Woodbridge and Norwich playing extremely well. We’re still waiting to see if we progress to the national finals held at Nottingham University. Our pupils performed well, behaved incredibly, and really were a testament to the town’s talents in - competing in the East of England. We are really proud!.

Without question, the most valuable player was Airidas Judikas in year 9 who won every single game - even against the strongest competitors. Emotions were certainly high, but all 12 scholars should be proud of themselves for getting through to the regional heats.

According to Adam James, the team’s coach and co-organiser of the event, said,

"Competing regionally not only provides a great opportunity for the pupils to showcase their skills and represent their school, but also helps in honing their skills to the very highest standard. We are glad to see Great Yarmouth pupils participating and performing exceptionally well at the event. It was a great learning opportunity for everyone involved and we look forward to seeing more participation from the school in the future."

Sean Powell, Senior Vice Principal who oversees Personal Development at the school said,

"Participating in chess competitions not only helps students improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, but also fosters a sense of healthy competition and sportsmanship. It allows them to develop their personal and social skills, which are essential for their development and talents. We are proud of all our pupils who participated in the English Schools Chess Championships and we hope to continue to support them in their future endeavours."

The school hopes to participate in more such events in the future and encourages all students to take part in extracurricular activities to develop their skills and explore their interests.