Pupils from across the South came together at The Croft Primary School as the best young spellers from The White Horse Federation competed for this year’s coveted Spelling Bee title.
The 2026 Grand Final welcomed finalists from 21 schools across Swindon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Reading, all of whom had earned their place by winning spelling competitions at their own schools.
After several closely contested rounds, Daisy, a Year 5 pupil from Zouch Academy, was crowned champion after correctly spelling the word “ephemeral” to seal victory.
Runner-up was Arthur, from West Kidlington School in Oxfordshire.
The competition tested pupils with an impressive list of challenging words, including aesthetic, deference and aberration, all of which they had spent weeks practising before the final.
Adding to the occasion, professional footballer Harrison Minturn attended the event to present medals, certificates and commemorative pin badges to every finalist before handing the winners’ trophy to Daisy.
The annual competition has become a highlight of the trust’s calendar, celebrating literacy while bringing together pupils from across its family of schools.
Last year’s title was won by Haydon Wick Primary School pupil Avyang Gujjar, who secured victory by correctly spelling “egregious”.
Simon Cowley, Primary Director of Education at The White Horse Federation, praised the efforts of every finalist.
“The TWHF Spelling Bee continues to be a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their dedication, resilience, and love of learning. Each year, we are impressed by the confidence and determination demonstrated by our young learners as they take on this challenge.
“Developing strong literacy skills is fundamental to success across the curriculum and beyond, and events like this help to inspire a lifelong appreciation of language. Congratulations to all our finalists, and thank you to the staff, families and students who make the Spelling Bee such a memorable and successful event.”
Lisa Davies, Director of School Improvement, said the competition encouraged much more than accurate spelling.
“It’s been wonderful to see the excitement, confidence and determination shown by our students throughout this year’s competition. The Spelling Bee encourages precision, curiosity, and a genuine love of language, skills that support learning across every area of the curriculum.
“The standard was incredibly high this year, and our finalists impressed us at every stage. Congratulations to all our 2026 Spelling Bee finalists.”
Dan Nicholls, Chief Executive of The White Horse Federation, said the event continued to demonstrate the strength of collaboration across the trust.
“This is our third TWHF Spelling Bee and a fantastic event that demonstrates inclusivity across our Trust schools and communities. Congratulations to Zouch Academy, who take home the coveted trophy this year, and thank you to all the staff and Trust partners involved, who continue to inspire lives with greater opportunity and choice.
“Congratulations to our 2026 Champion, Daisy from Zouch Academy!”
For many of the pupils, simply reaching the final was an achievement in itself. But for Daisy, one perfectly spelt word — ephemeral — ensured her name will be added to the growing list of Spelling Bee champions.
