Top Class

Contents

Host

Susan Calman

Broadcast

ITV Studios for CBBC, 12 September 2016 to present

Synopsis

A knockout quiz tournament for primary schools.

Two teams of four students play against each other. These students are aged 10 and 11, at the top of primary school.

They're asked "control" questions, individual questions on the buzzer, no conferring. A right answer wins control of a curriculum subject, and four bonus questions on a theme. Which of these things are electrical conductors, where are these European capitals? These bonus questions won't be passed to the other side. Definite shades of University Challenge there.

Also in the show is "Test the Teacher", classroom staff are asked about popular culture for one minute. "Pet subject" is questions for each team on a topic they've nominated. And the show finishes with a 90-second buzzer round.

The scoring is simple: one point per correct answer. Winners of each show go forward to the next round, losers go home.

Top Class Susan introduces the show with the teams in the background.

Quite a lot of chat on the show, introducing the teams to viewers at home, and Susan joshes with the competitors after each round of questions. Top Class isn't an intense quiz, it never forgets that it's an entertainment programme, and it meets the brief well - entertains while it's gently educating.

Key Moments

Watching the teachers attempt the 'Test the Teacher' round. The results were variable; some did very well, while others struggled: no one scored zero, but several teachers only scored one point. Calman did tease them a little if they didn't do well, but only in a good-humoured manner that was in keeping with the spirit of the show, and always taken in good part by the teachers.

Title music

Craig Brown is credited as "composer".

Champions

St Pius X Preparatory School from Preston, Lancashire

Web links

CBBC show site

See also

Weaver's Week review

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