ALCUIN SCHOOL REACHES NATIONAL CHESS SEMI FINALS

The Alcuin School, a Leeds based independent day school, is celebrating reaching the semi finals of the National Primary Schools Chess competition.
Two teams from the school have progressed to the next stage of the tournament in the Under 9’s and Under 11’s category after fine performances in the first round of the competition which took place in Rotherham. The semi final stage takes place in June at Pontins in Prestatyn, in which two teams of six pupils from the Alcuin School will take part in matches over a two day period.
The National Primary Schools Chess competition is run by the English Primary Schools Chess Association and attracts a massive entry from schools all over the country. It is run at under 9 and under 11 level, over three stages culminating in the finals in June. The English Primary Schools' Chess Association exists to advance the education of primary school aged children by teaching, supervising and developing the playing of chess.
The Alcuin School began its involvement with chess approximately eight years ago by setting up a chess club of eight players and now almost every pupil in the school from Year 2 to 6 is actively involved in chess. It received an award from the British Chess Federation (BCF) in 2005 recognising its services to chess, and its pupils have achieved success in tournaments at local, county and national level.
John Hipshon, Headteacher at the Alcuin School, said: “We are delighted that not only one but two of our teams have reached the semi final stage of this national competition. The school is extremely proud that the pupils have advanced so far in a competition which attracts entries from teams all over the country. We are thoroughly looking forward to the semis in Prestatyn, and wish the children the best of luck!”