National Chess Championships in London

As you know by now, Chess has been a feature of the Key Stage 2 curriculum for over 13 years now. We first took part in a trial funded by the Education Endowment Fund to see if there was a correlation between playing chess and children`s problem solving skills. Since that initial trial chess has gone from strength to strength here at St William of York, so much so that we were recognised for our contribution to schools chess when in September we were given a national award by the British Chess Education Trust.

Today a number of children from Years 5 and 6 have travelled down to London to play in the National Chess Championships which are being held at Arsenal FC`s Emirates Stadium. It`s been an early start for those children with the Chess Team getting the 6.43 am train to London. Despite the early start they all looked happy and raring to go. (Please see the photographs below for a timeline of the day)

Despite a few nerves they arrived early at the Emirates Stadium and were keen to get started. Early on into the competition and already we were getting a few winners!!!!

After a successful and enjoyable morning the children, and staff, enjoyed a well-earned break before the afternoon session began in earnest.

Well done everyone, we came 4th overall...an excellent result at such a big event with schools from all over the country. We hope the experience will be a memorable one for years to come. We are very proud of you all.

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