Trust-wide Spelling Bee
Friday 9 February was our Trust-wide Spelling Bee! A fantastic event held at Co-op’s Headquarters, 1 Angel Square, and led by the Trust’s English Directors, James Davies and Hannah Lilley.
This is the second year running the competition, which provides a fantastic opportunity for students to meet fellow peers from across the Trust and have a fun, challenging spelling competition.
It’s a great opportunity for young people to develop their confidence, practise public speaking skills and to thrive under pressure!
This year, 25 teams from both primary and secondary gathered for the event.
The standard of spelling was excellent and there was quite the competition to reach the final. In the end, Manchester, Belle Vue and Penny Oaks did just enough to pip Princeville, Stoke and Oakwood onto the podium.
The tension rose as Belle Vue and Penny Oaks had to compete in the tie-break to see which academy would compete against last year's champions Manchester in the final. After a series of correct spellings, it was Belle Vue who emerged victorious and into the final. However, Penny Oaks did manage to secure the 'Best Primary Academy' bringing the trophy back to West Yorkshire for the first time.
What a final it was! Using the classic penalty shoot out format, each team had five spellings to get correct. None of the vocabulary included in the final featured in the pre-released material. An enrapt auditorium could barely take the tension as it went to sudden death. Belle Vue were just able to beat the incredible efforts from Manchester, eventually winning 3-2. Everybody had a brilliant time! Well done to all involved - you did us proud.
English Director at Co-op Academies Trust, James Davies, said:
“It was fantastic to see the pupils from far and wide show such a love for language and such courage to perform under pressure. The Spelling Bee goes from strength to strength and I am already looking forward to next year's competition!'
Nawal, a student from Belle Vue, said:
"The opportunity and experience was unique and fun to all of us - it felt good to represent our school and try our hardest. All schools were respectful to each other. It was a comfortable environment to be in, allowing us to push ourselves further and compete better. Overall, we enjoyed it and thank everyone who planned it out!"
