Quarter-Final Four Top Class

On Top Class today...

Matt, Helen, Joel, and Ethan

playing for St Martin's Church of England Primary School

from Somerset.

And competing against them are...

Ameya, Hasan, Amaani and Faris,

from St Pius X Preparatory School from Lancashire.

But who will be Top Class?

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Hello, and welcome to Top Class,

the search for the UK's smartest school.

Let's meet our quarterfinal teams.

First up, St Martin's.

In their heat they won 21 points to 19.

As well as studying hard for their return to Top Class,

they're also preparing for their school production

of Ali Baba And The Bongo Bandits.

Matt, are you in Ali Baba?

-Yes.

-What do you play in Ali Baba?

I play Alakazam, the narrator.

Oh, nice part!

Helen, are you in Ali Baba?

Yeah, I play the genie.

Oh, nice one! That's a brilliant role.

You're quite tall for a genie, though.

How do you get into the bottle?

-I don't really have to fit into it.

-I thought they actually would...

Fine. Joel, captain of St Martin's

and you liked the buzzer round last time, didn't you?

-Yes.

-It is quite exciting, isn't it?

-Yeah.

And, Ethan, are you in Ali Baba?

-Yeah, I'm one of the guards.

-That guards the genie?

No, I guard the princess.

-I could play the part of princess, couldn't I?

-Yeah.

Yeah, you're very polite. Well, good luck to you all.

Please welcome St Martin's Church of England School from Somerset.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And playing against them are St Pius.

They won their heat 25 points to 21.

Since they were here, they've been working hard and practising their

buzzer techniques as well.

After their SATs, they'll be going on a week-long cycling course.

Are you going on the cycling course, Ameya?

-Yes.

-What do you do for a week?

We just learn how to ride a bike safely

and then at the end you can go on the road as well.

Wow! Hasan, welcome.

Captain of St Pius.

Tell me about practising your buzzer techniques.

We've had objects put in front of us

-and the first person to get to them won.

-Wow!

Taking this seriously, I like that, Hasan.

-Amaani, welcome back.

-Thank you.

What subject did you like last time on Top Class, Amaani?

They were all quite easy, but the history one...

-Hmm.

-..caught us a little bit.

Well, good luck with your buzzer technique and, Faris,

who was the best at the buzzer?

I don't want to be too boastful, but I think it was me, so.

You don't want to be too boastful, but you are.

Well done, Faris.

Let's see how you do.

Best of luck here on Top Class.

Please welcome St Pius X Preparatory School from Lancashire.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK, let's get on with round one.

Here's your first control question.

Anyone can buzz in but I have to accept your first answer.

The subject is...

What name beginning with the letter E

is given to a country or region's system

for making and managing its wealth?

-Economy.

-That is the correct answer, Hasan.

Well done.

It's one point to you. You've got control.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of European flags.

Here's your first question.

Which country does this flag represent?

(Switzerland.)

-Switzerland.

-Switzerland? Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

What about this flag?

Which country does it belong to?

-Ukraine.

-You're saying the Ukraine.

Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

Which country is represented by this flag?

No, it's Slo...

-Slovenia.

-Slovenia.

-Slovenia.

-You're saying Slovenia. Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

And, finally, what about this flag?

(Austria.)

-Austria.

-You're saying Austria.

Let's see if that's right.

Well done, St Pius, you got yourself five points in that round.

Well done.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So at the end of that round

St Pius have five points,

St Martin's have nothing yet

but there's loads of time to score points.

Give them both a round of applause. Well done.

Faris, do you like the flags of European countries?

It's one of my strong points.

Yeah, because you were like, "I know that one. I know that one.

"I know that one."

Let's see what happens in the next round and the next subject is...

Here is your control question.

Spell the word joking.

Amaani?

That is the correct answer, Amaani.

Well done. You now have control.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of grammar.

In the sentence...

..which word is the adjective?

-(Ancient.)

-The adjective is ancient.

You're saying it's ancient. Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done. What is the verb in the sentence...

-Bought.

-Bought.

Bought? Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

Can you spot the adverb in this sentence...?

I'd say anxiously was the adverb.

Anxiously, you're saying. Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

Lastly, in the sentence...

..what word is the preposition?

-Over.

-Preposition...

-Over.

-The preposition is over.

You're saying the preposition is over.

Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done, St Pius, you've got another five points.

Congratulations. Well done.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So at the end of that round, St Pius have ten points,

St Martin's yet to score, but loads of time.

Give them a round of applause.

APPLAUSE

Helen, how would you have done with that round?

We definitely would have got them all right.

Would have got them all right, the grammar, yeah?

-Ethan, you seem very certain about that.

-Yeah.

Yeah, prepositions, schme-positions.

Yeah. Well, let's move on to the next subject and it is...

Here is your control question.

What name, beginning with the letter P,

is given to the process by which plants

use light to make their own...

Photosynthesis.

Is the correct answer, Amaani. Well done. That's a point to you.

You have control.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of

organs of the body.

Can you name this major organ?

-The eyes.

-The eyes. Let's see if that's right.

Correct. What about this one?

-The brain.

-Brain.

You're saying, the brain. Let's see if that's right.

Correct.

Thirdly, can you identify

this part of your body?

Kidney.

I'd say the kidneys.

The kidneys. Let's see if that's right.

It is. And, finally, which of

your organs is this?

-Bladder.

-The bladder.

You're saying the bladder. Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done. You've got another five points, St Pius.

Well done.

So at the end of that round, St Pius have 15 points.

St Martin's have nothing yet.

But there's loads of time to score points.

Give them a round of applause.

APPLAUSE

Now, it could all change now because it's time for my favourite round.

It is time to Test The Teacher.

St Martin's, who have you brought with you and why?

We've brought Miss Upham, as around the class she's singing a lot.

-She sings a lot?

-Yeah.

Does that qualify her to answer questions?

We've seen songs in the last round, so...

Oh, I see.

And, Ethan, have you been helping Miss Upham revise for this?

Yeah, last week we did a whole lesson on

teaching her about CBBC and BBC TV programmes.

And how did that go down, Helen?

Do you have confidence in Miss Upham?

-Yes.

-There was a little bit of a pause, Helen.

LAUGHTER

Matt, have you got confidence in Miss Upham?

-Yeah.

-Total confidence?

Yeah, I do.

Again, a slight pause but that's fine.

Well, St Martin's, it's time to test the teacher.

Bring in Miss Upham.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-Hello, Miss Upham.

-Hello.

Last time you were here, Miss Upham, you scored four points.

Were you disappointed with your performance last time?

-No.

-Oh, that was a good one?

-That was good.

Have they been trying to help you at all?

They give me a little bit of help with CBBC programmes.

OK, the rest of it you're fine with, though?

-Oh, yeah!

-Because you sing?

I, yeah....

I think they really like your singing, though.

-Who wouldn't?

-Well, I don't know. I've not heard it, Miss Upham.

-You're not about to!

-OK, then.

So, Miss Upham, you have 60 seconds on the clock

-to answer as many questions as you can.

-OK.

-Are you ready?

-I think so.

-Start the clock.

Rapper Flo Rida is from what US state?

-Florida.

-Correct.

Patrick Star is a character

in which TV show?

The Next Step.

No, SpongeBob SquarePants.

XOXO at the end of a text

or e-mail means what?

-Smiley face.

-Kisses and hugs.

Which British band sings this song?

FUNKY MUSIC PLAYS

-Coldplay.

-Correct.

Thomas, Minho and Teresa

are all characters in which 2014 film?

-I don't know.

-Maze Runner.

What is the name of vlogger Zoella's pug dog?

-Oh, I don't know!

-No, it's Nala!

Wing attack and goal defence are positions

in which sport?

-Netball.

-Correct.

What kind of animal is the animated character

Curious George?

-A monkey.

-Correct.

In February 2016,

it was revealed that which former X Factor

judge was dating Liam Payne?

-Cheryl Cole?

-Correct.

What card trading game

features characters Bulbasaur and Squirtle?

-No idea.

-Pokemon.

Mr Who is a character previously played

and now voiced in an animated series

by Rowan Atkinson?

-Mr Bean.

-Is the correct answer, Miss Upham. Well done.

And at the end of that round you've got yourself,

well done, six points, Miss Upham!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

From four points to six points.

It was the CBBC stuff, I'm sure.

Are you enjoying expanding your mind with information

like Zoella's pug's name?

Oh, but I even knew Zoella.

I've heard of her. She was in a magazine I read.

But you just didn't know the name of her pug.

I looked at the dog and thought,

"They're not going to ask me the name of her dog."

Of course we're going to ask you the name of the dog!

That's the point of Top Class - to ask the name of people's dogs.

Miss Upham, you did really well. You've got six points for your team.

-But for now, you are dismissed.

-Thank you.

-Well done.

OK, St Pius, who have you brought with you and why, Hasan?

We have brought Mrs Davis and as Faris likes to say,

"Since she makes us learn,

"we're trying to give her a chance in the spotlight."

Right. So, Faris, this is almost a kindness you're giving your teacher?

She deserves it. After all the hard work we are given,

she deserves to have a bit of a relaxing time in the spotlight.

You think that this is a relaxing thing for your teacher to do?

-Easy.

-Let's find out, St Pius. It's time to Test The Teacher.

Bring in Mrs Davis.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Mrs Davis, Faris seems to believe this is almost a treat for you,

that he's being magnanimous in providing you with such a glorious

-opportunity in front of the nation.

-Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

I think he needs to look in his dictionary again

to find out the meaning of the word.

-Have you really been revising this much?

-I have.

They've got a lot of confidence in you, I think, Mrs Davis.

I'm glad somebody has.

-Last time you were here you got three points.

-Yes.

Do you think you're going to do better this time?

-I certainly hope so.

-OK, let's find out.

60 seconds on the clock to answer as many questions as you can.

-You can pass if you don't know the answer.

-OK.

Start the clock.

Which actor voices the character

Marty the Zebra in the hit film Madagascar?

-Pass.

-Chris Rock.

In online text, what does the term BRB mean?

-Be right back.

-Correct.

In their 2015 film,

YouTubers Joe and Caspar Hit The what?

-Heights.

-Road.

Which vocal group

won Britain's Got Talent in 2014?

-Collabro.

-Correct.

Who sings this song?

# Hold tight you're slowly coming back... #

-Pass.

-It's Birdie.

Cosmo and Wanda are characters

from which TV show?

-Hacker T.

-Fairly Odd Parents.

In 2016, which Radio 1 DJ

had a bridge named after him?

-Bridge... Pass.

-Scott Mills.

Rude was a summer hit for what band in 2014?

-Pass.

-Magic!

What is the Minions from Despicable Me's

favourite fruit?

-Bananas.

-Correct.

Phineas and who? are the lead title characters

in which Disney animated TV show?

-Pass.

-Ferb.

What's the surname of

American chat show host Ellen?

-McGennis... McGillis...

-No, DeGeneres.

What is the name of Snoopy the dog's

best friend and owner?

Pass. I've forgotten.

Charlie Brown!

-Mrs Davis, you have not surpassed your previous score...

-No.

..but you have equalled your previous score.

You got three points, Mrs Davis.

Sorry, guys.

Do you know, the problem is, Mrs Davis, you want it so much.

I can tell. You want to do so well for your pupils, don't you?

-Yes, I do.

-But you did great.

-Oh, well.

-The problem is you can't predict the questions.

I know, I know. And there's only so much you can take in.

There's only so much you can take in,

but I think you did absolutely fantastically, Mrs Davis.

-Thank you.

-For now, you are dismissed.

-Thank you.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So at the end of that round,

St Pius have 18 points and zooming up behind them,

St Martin's now have six points.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

OK. Faris, now you're the one who seems to think

this is a relaxing thing for her to do. Are you proud of your teacher?

Yeah, but I thought with all the revising she did

she could have got full marks.

It's a lot of pressure, Faris.

I think you have quite

high expectations.

Helen, I think your teacher did brilliantly, don't you?

A lot better than I might have

expected before we did the last one.

Right. So she surprised you?

Right, teams, you're back in the spotlight now.

It's time for Pet Subjects.

St Martin's.

Joel, what have you chosen as your pet subject?

-We've chosen Venus.

-Venus.

You have 30 seconds on the clock, starting now.

How many planets are there

in between Venus and the sun?

-One.

-Correct.

Venus is named after the Roman goddess of what?

Goddess of love and music.

Correct.

On the planet Venus,

what direction does the sun rise from?

-The west.

-Correct.

Venus is the second brightest natural object

in the night sky. What's the first?

-The moon.

-Correct.

How many moons does Venus have?

-None.

-Correct.

On a diagram of our solar system,

Venus can be located between Earth

and which other planet?

-Mercury.

-That is the correct answer.

Well done. And at the end of the round,

you got six points, St Martin's!

What a storming around that was on Venus.

Well done, St Martin's.

Now, St Pius, it's time for your Pet Subject.

So, Hasan, what have you chosen?

We have decided to choose Greek Gods.

Greek Gods.

30 seconds on the clock.

A point for every correct answer.

Buzz in. Start the clock.

What is the name of the sporting event

that was held to honour...?

-Hasan?

-The Olympics.

Correct. Hercules was known

as one of the strongest of the gods,

but what was the name of his father?

-Zeus.

-Correct.

Which type of bird would you associate

with the God of War Ares?

Eagle.

No, a vulture.

Which Greek God had a twin brother

called Apollo?

-Artemis.

-Correct.

Who was the leader of the Greek Gods

who lived on Mount Olympus?

-Ameya?

-Zeus.

-Correct.

Well done, St Pius, you got four points!

Fantastic. And at the end of that round, St Pius have 22 points,

St Martin's coming up quickly behind them on 12 points.

On with the game. The next subject is...

Here's your control question.

What is -27 plus 25?

-2.

-2 you're saying.

It's the correct answer, Matt. Well done, you've got control.

You've got a point.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of shapes.

So here's your first question...

Can you name this shape?

-(Septagon.)

-A septagon.

A septagon. Let's see if that is right.

Yes, I can accept that.

Septagon, or heptagon is the correct answer.

What name is given to this quadrilateral shape?

-(No, no, parallelogram.)

-(That's a rhombus.)

-(Rhombus.)

-A parallelogram.

Let's see if that is right.

I can accept parallelogram.

It's OK, you got that question right. Well done.

Can you tell me what type of triangle this is?

And be specific, please. What type of triangle is this?

(Scalene.)

-A scalene triangle.

-You're saying scalene triangle.

Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done.

And, finally, what is this other quadrilateral shape called?

(Trapezium.)

-A trapezium.

-You're saying trapezium.

Let's see if that's right.

It is right. Well done. Five points, St Martin's!

Well done.

Things are getting close because at the end of that round,

St Pius have 22 points

but now St Martin's,

you've got 17 points!

The next subject is...

Here is your control question.

World Penguin Day is celebrated each year on the 25th day of which month?

April.

That's the correct answer, Ethan, well done.

If that was a guess, Ethan, that was a very good guess.

One point to you. You have control.

Here are the rest of your questions on the subject of the news.

First question...

(Marseille, just a guess.)

(I've no idea.)

-Marseille.

-You're saying Marseille. Let's see if that's right.

Paris. Second question...

-Hillary Clinton.

-You're saying Hillary Clinton.

Let's see if that's right.

Theresa May. Third question...

(No idea.)

-Pass.

-The answer is Pero.

Finally...

-(It sounds like basketball.)

-Basketball.

You're saying basketball. Let's see if that's right.

It's American football.

But well done, St Martin's,

at the end of that round you got yourself one point.

Well done. Well done.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It is incredibly close.

At the end of that round, St Pius have 22

and just behind them

St Martin's have 18 points.

Give them both a round of applause.

It's so tense.

It is so tense.

It's the quarterfinal of Top Class

and we're going into the final round.

The last chance to bag some points.

It's the Battle of the Buzzers.

90 seconds on the clock for both teams

to answer as many questions as you can.

Remember, you must buzz in.

Start the clock.

The shortest day of the year is also known as the winter what?

Pass.

St Pius?

-Solstice.

-Correct.

The fish and chip shop Beale's Plaice

features in which TV soap opera?

EastEnders.

That is correct. The book Stick Man is written by which author?

(Julia Donaldson.)

You can't confer, remember. I'm going to have to pass.

I'm going to have to offer over. Faris?

-Julia Donaldson.

-That's correct.

Which member of the British Royal family is mother to Zara Tindall?

-Elizabeth.

-No.

I can offer it over. Anyone know?

-Pass.

-It's Princess Anne.

What piece of equipment beginning with the letter L

did Anglo-Saxons use to weave threads together to make cloth?

-Loom.

-Correct.

Tee, driver and bunker are all words associated with which sport?

-American football?

-No. I can offer it over.

-St Pius?

-Basketball.

-No, it's golf.

Spell the word scenery.

That is the correct answer.

Currently, how many planets are in our solar system...?

Eight.

No, I have to repeat the question. I can give you the full question.

Currently, how many planets in our solar system

begin with the letter S?

-Saturn...

-I need an answer. No.

We have to move on. It's one.

Which now extinct animal looked like a large hairy elephant with long...?

-Dodo.

-No. I can offer it over.

-Mammoth.

-Is the correct answer.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

That was so exciting.

You've all done incredibly well, but the winners,

with 28 points, are...

St Pius. Well done, St Pius. You've won!

Bad luck, St Martin's.

Honestly, you played so well, St Martin's.

You've been brilliant competitors.

Give them a huge round of applause, please. St Martin's.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

St Pius, you'll be back

to take your place

in the semifinals,

where you will be joining St James' Church of England Academy,

Millburn Primary School and Bowes Primary School.

You're another step closer to being Top Class.

Ameya, how do you feel? Semifinalist.

I feel really proud of the team and even Mrs Davis.

And even... Oh, that's very nice of you to say that.

Hasan, how are you feeling?

I'd like to just say exhilarating and completely flabbergasted

-that we actually won.

-Amaani, how are you feeling?

I'm feeling really good, but I feel even better for Mrs Davis,

because I think she worked the hardest out of all of us.

Oh!

I've never heard such emotional speeches about a teacher in my life.

-Faris?

-Well, I think we had team spirit and, if we didn't,

then St Martin's did really well

and I think they would have caught us up.

Yes. They played brilliantly, St Martin's.

You played brilliantly as well, St Pius.

I can only congratulate you. Well done.

I'll see you in the semifinals

and I'll see you next time. Goodbye.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE