GCHQ National Language Competition Winners
We are delighted to announce the winners of GCHQ’s National Language Competition 2024! After a week of outstanding effort and fierce competition, Team Sensible Gentle Mallard claimed the top spot. The team consists of Katia, Arisha, Shreyaa, and Aanya from The Henrietta Barnett School in London.
A Week of Intense Language Challenges
This year’s National Language Competition saw over 2,000 teams from schools across the UK. They tested their skills in language-based puzzles, code-breaking, and critical thinking. It was a closely fought race, with teams pushing themselves to their limits to climb the leaderboard.
Congratulations to Team Sensible Gentle Mallard, whose incredible performance earned them the prestigious title of National Language Competition 2024 Champions! The team will soon be invited to GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham to collect their NLC 2024 Trophy.
Regional Winners Announced
In addition to the national champions, GCHQ has proudly recognised the regional winners, who excelled in their respective areas. Each team will receive a special GCHQ NLC 2024 Regional Winners’ Coin to celebrate their achievement.
| Region | Winners | School |
|---|---|---|
| England – East Midlands | Team Famous Frantic Catfish | The Ecclesbourne School, Derbyshire |
| England – East of England | Team Charming Lucky Llama | Parmiter’s School, Hertfordshire |
| England – Greater London | Team Distinct Graceful Bat | The Henrietta Barnett School, London |
| England – North East | Team Smiling Ambitious Hare | Royal Grammar School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
| England – North West & Isle of Man | Team Elegant Energetic Swan | Bolton School Boys’ Division, Lancashire |
| England – South West & Guernsey & Jersey | Team Elegant Elated Penguin | Colyton Grammar School, Devon |
| England – South East | Team Faithful Good Heron | The Tiffin Girls’ School, Surrey |
| England – West Midlands | Team Fiery Frantic Marmoset | King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham |
| England – Yorkshire & The Humber | Team Laughing Friendly Gazelle | Skipton Girls’ High School, North Yorkshire |
| Northern Ireland | Team Calm Determined Stingray | Victoria College, Belfast |
| Scotland | Team Jolly Patient Buffalo | George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh |
| Wales | Team Lively Perfect Hyena | Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Vale of Glamorgan |
A huge congratulations to all the regional winners for their exceptional performance!
Why Learning Languages Matters
GCHQ’s National Language Competition highlights the value of language skills, not only for communication but also for problem-solving and teamwork. Whether it’s code-breaking, cybersecurity, or building bridges between cultures, learning languages opens doors to exciting opportunities.
For students inspired by this year’s competition, exploring cybersecurity pathways is an excellent next step. At Robust IT Training, we offer courses that combine problem-solving with in-demand skills, such as:
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
These courses are ideal for anyone looking to combine linguistic skills, analytical thinking, and cybersecurity expertise.
Looking Ahead to NLC 2025
Thank you to all the teams, schools, and educators who participated in NLC 2024. Your hard work and enthusiasm made the competition a resounding success. We hope this experience has inspired you to keep learning languages and tackling new challenges.
If you’d like to get involved in NLC 2025, teachers and home education representatives can join the mailing list by emailing nlc@gchq.gov.uk.
For students ready to take the next step in their learning journey, visit Robust IT Training to explore courses that can set you on a path to success.