Year 9 Students Shine in GCHQ National Language Competition

In late November, a group of passionate and talented Year 9 linguists showcased their skills by participating in the GCHQ National Language Competition. The week-long event challenged students to solve a variety of intricate linguistic puzzles and tasks designed to test their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Working in code-named teams, the students pushed themselves to decode complex problems across multiple languages, demonstrating remarkable dedication and perseverance. While the coveted first-place prize — a visit to GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham — remained just out of reach this year, the school celebrated an impressive achievement.

One of our teams, composed of Monty, Dan, and Aiden, secured an incredible 60th place out of thousands of teams across the UK, earning them a spot in the competition’s top 100. This is a fantastic accomplishment, reflecting not only their linguistic ability but also their determination and collaboration.

Congratulations to Monty, Dan, and Aiden on this outstanding performance, and to all the Year 9 participants who represented our school with such enthusiasm and skill. We look forward to seeing where their linguistic talents take them next!