The Young Pioneers’ Challenge (YPC) is unique to Marlborough and consists of tests of escalating difficulty about the whole span of western history from 1000 AD to the present. The exceptionally difficult ‘Gold’ level has so far been attained by only two Marlburians (both of whom are now at university) – however, the ‘Silver’ level, which requires knowledge of events as varied as the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji (1774), the opening of McDonalds on Red Square in Moscow (1991), the first recorded public debt (Genoa, 1150), the Californian Gold Rush (1848-49), and the collapse of the Caliphate of Cordoba (1031), has been conquered by a number of ambitious pupils.
Most recently, Lower Sixth pupils Poppy G-C, Iona G and Tom H have achieved ‘Silver’ and Theo J achieved ‘Bronze’. Many congratulations to them all.
Christopher Moule, Head of History and Head of Scholars, said: “The YPC is a hard challenge involving a broad knowledge of History. There are 120 possible questions for Silver, and 80 for Bronze: all takers this time around gained 85% or more! Poppy, Iona and Tom will now move to the difficult ‘Gold’ challenge: they will pick vast ‘special subjects’ (Ireland, Scandinavia, China and Ancient Rome) as well as deepening their expertise in the areas already studied.”
