‘We’re doomed!’ was the thought coursing through the minds of the St John’s team mid-way through the CBBC’s Final of ‘Top Class – The Search for the UK’s Smartest School’. But then everything changed.

The St John’s Primary School team, from Midsomer Norton, fired out answers on their pet subject of ‘The Battle of Waterloo’; they snatched the mystery control question on the topic of Music; and buzzed in early with the correct answer on Maths to set them up with a six point lead, heading into the battle of the buzzers – a lead they maintained until the end.

Over the past few weeks, The Journal has been following the pupils in the competition to be named Top Class. The Final was between St John’s CofE Primary School and Hollymount Primary School, in London, who proved to be an energetic and challenging team to compete against.

The tension could be seen on the children’s faces, as they buzzed to be the first to answer questions, and when the St John’s team were declared the winners, they were initially speechless, before expressing how delighted they were.

The sparkly ‘Top Class’ trophy is now proudly displayed in the foyer of St John’s CofE Primary School as a reminder and encouragement to everyone to give something new a go.

“When we applied, we didn’t even think we would be accepted to go on the show,” said pupil, Carys, and once the final was all over, team mate Izzy sighed: “We never ever thought we would get this far.” But she, along with the rest of the team – including their teacher, Miss Lauren David – did, and what an outcome!

Congratulations St John’s. If you missed the Final, you can view it on BBC i-Player.