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University Challenge Society clinches Sh...

University Challenge Society clinches Shield during debut at National Competition

Hills Road Sixth Form College’s University Challenge Society made an outstanding debut at this year’s National Schools’ General Knowledge Competition, the UK’s largest school quiz tournament.

Published on 15/05/2025

Hills Road's student-led University Challenge Society last month made an outstanding debut at the National Schools’ General Knowledge Competition, placing third overall and taking home a Shield.

Hills University Challenge Society members with their shield

The four-strong A Team—Djia Sanath-Vijay (captain), Alex Greenham, Magnus Burt, and Cara Davies—tackled University Challenge–style questions across a series of knockout rounds.

Their campaign began in January with wins over Bolton School B and Kingham Hill, and culminated in the national finals at Winchester College on 26 April.

Having conceded a narrow loss to Hampton School in the quarter-finals, the team were then competing to take home the Shield. They bounced back with a composed semi-final win over Brentwood School, with Cara answering questions on Inspector Morse “by recognising the theme tune alone.”

In the Shield final against Exeter School, Hills Road quickly established control and maintained their lead throughout, finishing with a decisive 660–420 victory.

Asked for any highlights in the competition, Alex highlighted one of his answers in the final round: “Oology—the study of eggs.” A great answer in its own right – but it also led to a bonus question on shakshuka (and Dija answered that straight away).

As one of only two state schools to reach the national finals, the team’s performance stands out not just for its success, but for the teamwork and depth of knowledge on display.