Pupils taking part in a quiz to find the smartest school in the borough have been given words of encouragement from their teachers.

On Thursday six schools will battle it out in the MasterMind in Harrow quiz competition run by the charity Mind in Harrow in partnership with the Harrow Times.

The schools taking part are Harrow School, Hatch End High School, Bentley Wood High School, , John Lyon School, North London Collegiate School and Sacred Heart.

Chaplain of Harrow School Father James Power, who will also be quizmaster, said: “Harrow is delighted to support MIND through the Mastermind competition.

“Not only will it raise funds for worthwhile mental health projects, but it will also be a valuable educational experience for children from the local area.

"Through this competition, they will be become more aware of the prevalence of mental illness, reminding them that mental wellbeing is as important as our physical health. In so doing, we take another step forward in eradicating the stigma surrounding the issue.

“I wish all those taking part a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile afternoon.

Headteacher of John Lyon School Katherine Haynes said: “Good luck to all three teams from The John Lyon School.

“Congratulations on your tremendous fundraising efforts for Mind in Harrow and it has been pleasing to hear of all of your endeavours, from cake sales and tea parties to bucket collections. Well done for what you have already achieved and all the best for the competition.”

Hatch End High school headteacher Sue Maguire said: ‘”The Mastermind competition is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to develop key communication skills in a fun competitive environment whilst also developing a keen sense of working in and for the community.

“We are very proud of them and all our hardworking staff involved with MasterMind.’

Headteacher Bentley Wood Janice Howkins said: “I am very proud of your achievement so far in representing Bentley Wood High School at the Harrow Mastermind Challenge.

“Every student who joins Bentley Wood is expected to achieve their very best, which reflects our school motto; ‘Learning today: Leading tomorrow'.

"As Year 9 representatives you are very much leading by example. Your fellow students, teachers, support staff and members of the school community are supporting you all.

“I know you will all do your best to excel, most importantly enjoy and value the experience.”

Geraldine A. Higgins headteacher of The Sacred Heart school said: “The whole community of The Sacred Heart are behind our representatives of Year 9.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to test their brain power and represent the excellence of their year group.

“We are all very proud of your achievements and that of the whole year group in being so creative in raising money.”

TeacherLucy Atkinson said:  “Our girls have worked extremely hard to raise money in creative ways through activities like baking cakes, a sponsored swim and, perhaps most challenging of all, a sponsored silence.  They have enjoyed fundraising for such a worthwhile cause, raising nearly £1350 in total.  

“They have also learned a lot about mental health from working with Mind in Harrow and about the importance of raising awareness of mental health issues - which they have been sharing with others within the school. 

“Everybody here at NLCS is rooting for them.  We are extremely proud and wish them the very best of luck.”

Teams will meet at Harrow School on Thursday afternoon for the contest and the Harrow Times will be there to follow the action.