Teachers’ praise for quiz king
PRIMARY SCHOOL’S PRIDE AT WINNING STUDENT
PRIMARY school teachers have praised a former pupil who starred in his Oxford college’s University Challenge triumph.
Oxford University undergraduate Freddy Potts was part of the Balliol College team which beat Wolfson College, Cambridge by 190 points to 140 in Monday’s televised final.
The history student sat his A-Levels at Emmanuel College but has had his eye on a University Challenge appearance since much younger days.
Teachers at Dunston Hill Community Primary School remember Freddy fondly. Headteacher Bill Foreman says Freddy held an ambition to appear on the BBC quiz show since he was a pupil there.
Nicola Reay taught the challenge champion. She said he was a “polite, mature, a hard-working pupil who was clearly very intelligent and had a dry sense of humour”.
Former teacher Barbara Chapman is another who has fond memories of the bright spark.
She said: “I am extremely proud that Freddy was one of our pupils. He was a joy to teach and always had an inquisitive mind and an outstanding general knowledge for one so young, so I am not surprised at all by his achievements.”
Back in 2015, Freddy’s photo appeared in the Chronicle when he won his Oxford place with his impressive A-level results.
His primary school posted a special message on its website to congratulate one of its former star pupils.
It said: “We are all extremely proud of his achievements and wish him every success with his studies and future career plans.”
After the final, televised on BBC 2, the winning team was presented with the trophy by Stephen Hawking at Cambridge University.
The famous scientist said: “I have said in the past that it is not clear whether intelligence has any long-term survival value – bacteria multiply and flourish without it.
“But it is one of the most admirable qualities, especially when displayed by such young minds.
“Many congratulations to both teams but especially to Balliol College, Oxford, on becoming series champions on University Challenge, a programme I have long enjoyed.”