Tenbury High Ormiston Academy crowned National Chess Champions

  16 May, 2019

Peter Murray, Ormiston Trust (back,right) and Jemima Waltho, Enrichment Manager (front, right) join Tenbury High students and teacher to celebrate their win

Pupils at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy in Tenbury Wells were delighted to be crowned the winners of a recent national chess competition.

The inter-academy chess tournament was provided to OAT schools to either launch brand new or develop existing chess clubs, earlier this academic year.

The funding was provided by Ormiston Trust, OAT’s parent body, following engagement by Chief Executive and keen chess player James Murray.

Following the success of the chess clubs, a cross-school web tournament was launched to develop the initiative further and offer pupils an exciting opportunity to connect with schools across the OAT network whilst benefiting from academic skills and the social and emotional capabilities chess can offer, as shown by a recent study carried out by the Education Endowment Foundation.

With pupils having been in training since September, 11 OAT schools across the country took part in the online competition across multiple rounds, leading to the highest scoring individual player from each school playing in the final to become OAT champion.

Talented pupil, Cory Lines, saw his chess skills help the school scoop the overall award.

Following Tenbury High’s win, a ceremony was held at the school with the founder of Ormiston Trust, Peter Murray, presenting the Chess Championship shield.

James Murray, Chief Executive of Ormiston Trust, said: “Ormiston Trust’s mission is to invest in outstanding services that nurture the critical social, emotional and practical skills, that young people will find invaluable at school, in work and in life.

“These chess clubs and chess competitions are a great example of how OAT students are learning critical thinking, problem solving, team work and creativity skills.”

Jemima Waltho, Enrichment Manager of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: “Ormiston Academies Trust is proud to be strengthening its reputation for providing high-quality enrichment opportunities and inspiring its young people to develop skills, talent and character whilst broadening their horizons.

“Pupils at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy have been hugely motivated recipients of a great initiative and have proven themselves to be very worthy winners. Well done to Cory and the school.”

Read more: Chess in Primary Schools Study by the Education Endowment Foundation.


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