This has been an incredible competition. Children have been undertaking spectacular feats of endurance, accumulating more kilometres, with the accompanying physical and mental benefits, than anybody would have thought possible. In total, the 79 schools that participated travelled an amazing 71,596km. To put this into perspective, that is 1.79 times around the circumference of the Earth. Seldom has such a jaw-dropping achievement been made by a group so young, in such a short space of time. No matter where your school finished in the league tables, everybody, whether members of staff or pupils, has contributed to this total and can own the fact that as a team of like-minded, gritty, adventure seeking individuals, you have been part of something truly special. Schools, children and families are all winners. Thank you all very much for taking part. A well earned downloadable certificate is available below.
Within a body of heroes, a few deserve a special mention. On an absolute distance basis, Stoke Bishop produced an incredible 1,596km on the final day to allow them to just pass their long term adversary, Bramingham Primary, on the final straight. Stoke Bishop thoroughly deserve the victory, but the competition just wouldn’t have been the same without the ferocious battling of Bramingham, pushing Stoke Bishop all the way to the line. Both schools were superb. Roecroft Lower School thoroughly deserve their 3rd place, given the quality of the opposition that finished behind them.
On an average distance per pupil basis, the battle between Shiplake Primary and Alexander Hosea was of epic proportions. Despite Alexander Hosea submitting the second highest daily average of the competition with 5.26km per pupil, Shiplake produced a phenomenal 5.81km, allowing them to retain their title as Britain’s pound for pound endurance champion. In the current era, no school has managed to match the average daily distances that Shiplake pupils are able to produce. They are tenacious, indefatigable and unperturbed by the conditions. Alexander Hosea are incredible competitors and fought them all the way to the line. I have a feeling, the rivalry is just beginning! Husborne Crawley finished 3rd, a result that they should be extremely proud of, managing to just pip the rampaging Stoke Bishop.
In terms of the total number of children participating each day, Stoke Bishop managed to hold off a hard charging Bramingham to finish in 1st place. Bramingham were 2nd and, with an incredible final day mobilisation of 125 pupils, Y Bont Faen Primary took the Bronze.
On a percentage participation basis, Shiplake takes gold with an average of 33.7% of pupils participating on a daily basis. Alexander Hosea were second with 28.8% and Y Bont Faen Primary were 3rd with 27.8%. These are huge levels of participation and thanks goes to all the parents, teachers and other members of staff that helped to spur on the children.
Finally, on a hard fought members of staff basis, Edward Peake Middle School produced an incredible 404km on Day 7, allowing them to finish clear of that most untiring of competitors, Bramingham Primary. Roecroft Lower School were 3rd with a final distance of 1,073km.
Thank you all very much for participating. I hope everybody enjoyed the competition and it helped parents to motivate their children to exercise outside, with all the benefits that this brings. If any parents or schools are interested in supporting The Children’s Challenge as it continues to forge stronger bonds within towns, school and families, please read the overview below. This sets out the mission statement and shows how schools, corporates and parents can get involved. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss having an Expedition Society at your school or a Corporate Virtual Challenge at your work, with all the CSR benefits that this brings.
Absolute Distance per School (KM) - Rank 1-50
Absolute Distance per School (KM) - Rank 51-79
Average Distance Per Pupil (Km) - Rank 1-50
Average Distance Per Pupil (Km) - Rank 51-79
Pupil Participation per school - Rank 1-50
Pupil Participation per school - Rank 51-75
Percentage Participation Per School - Rank 1-50
Note: This excludes members of staff
