The Croft Primary School in Old Town, Swindon, was buzzing with nerves and excitement on Friday 4th July as it proudly hosted the 2025 White Horse Federation Spelling Bee Grand Final – a celebration of young linguistic talent from across the region.
Now in its second year, the event brought together bright young minds from 21 schools within The White Horse Federation Multi-Academy Trust, with pupils travelling from across Swindon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Reading. After competing in their individual school heats, the finalists had already proven themselves as outstanding spellers. But the real test came on stage, in front of a packed hall and a panel of judges, armed with a list of tongue-twisting words.
From “philanthropy” to “surreptitious”, and the ever-tricky “claustrophobia”, the competitors faced a daunting set of challenges, all handled with confidence, poise, and plenty of applause from the audience.
Adding a dose of humour and charm to the event was special guest and Swindon Town FC superfan, comedian Ivo Graham – best known for his appearances on Taskmaster. Ivo shared stories of his daughter’s comical spelling blunders and showed off his collection of handmade football cards, before presenting trophies and certificates to the young finalists.
The final was eventually won by Year 5 pupil Avyang Gujjar from Haydon Wick Primary School, who nailed the spelling of “egregious” to secure the title. Following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Shanaya Koul from Drove Primary School, Avyang now takes the coveted trophy back to his school.
Simon Cowley, Primary Director of Education at The White Horse Federation, praised all involved:
“The Spelling Bee is a brilliant platform for students to showcase their commitment and skill. Events like this reinforce just how central language is to every aspect of school life.”
Lisa Davies, Curriculum Lead for the Trust, echoed the sentiment:
“It’s heartening to witness the buzz this event creates. The passion for language, the accuracy, and the confidence shown by our pupils has been nothing short of remarkable.”
The Federation’s CEO, Dan Nicholls, also attended the final and reflected on the wider impact of the event:
“It’s not just about spelling – it’s about community, aspiration, and resilience. I’m proud of every student and grateful to the families and staff who made this day such a success.”
With another successful Grand Final completed, and a growing reputation for celebrating student achievement in all its forms, The White Horse Federation’s Spelling Bee is fast becoming a firm fixture on the school calendar.
