Consumer Challenge Quiz 2005 Competition

This is a national competition organised by Birmingham Trading Standards, which aims to increase awareness of consumers' rights and responsibilities in a way that is both instructive and enjoyable. It features an inter-school quiz competition for teams of young people with moderate learning difficulties from Staffordshire schools. Contestants face questions on a wide range of consumer and safety issues. A knock-out quiz format, organised locally, culminates in the National Finals at the Trading Standards Institute's Conference. As the popularity of the competition grows, it may be necessary in future years to hold some regional finals to maintain a manageable number of schools participating in the National Final.

Stage 1 - Qualifying Heats

Staffordshire Trading Standards is responsible for organising the County's qualifying heat. The winning team from this stage then goes on to the second round of the competition. This year the Staffordshire quiz took the form of an entertaining and educational day at the White Eagle Club in Stafford. Professional actors were used to compere the quiz and provide dramatised interpretations of the questions. All of the participants found it a fun day. The winning team from Wightwick Hall School, Compton, will now go through to the National Final.

Stage 2  - UK National Finals -

The qualifying team(s) from each region will be invited to the finals, being held at the Trading Standards Institute Conference, which this year is in Brighton. There, they will commence final battle to decide who will be the 2005 Consumer Challenge Quiz Champions. The quizmaster will be Liz Barclay from the Radio 4 'You and Yours' programmed. The National Final differs from the Staffordshire heat in that it is held in a more traditional quiz format.

The Rules of Play

The competition is open to teams of four, from schools for young people with moderate learning difficulties.

• Team members must be in full-time education and generally aged between 14 and 17 years and/or at key stage 3 /4.
• Individual team members will be restricted to entering the national competition once only.
• Close relatives of Trading Standards officials will not be eligible to enter.
  Where problems arise, substitutes may be allowed at the organisers' discretion.
• The organisers' decision is final in any dispute.

There is no fee to participate in the competition. However, contributions towards the costs for teams to compete in the national finals in Brighton are, in some cases, made by participating Local Authorities.

Staffordshire Trading Standards Qualifying Heat

In Staffordshire, all eligible schools are contacted around November/December time inviting them to register their team(s) for the qualifying heat. The qualifying heat is normally held around March/April of the following year. Trading Standards Officers visit schools and help to coach the students in the topics covered by the competition and the style of questioning.

For further information, please contact Susan Ironside: Tel: 01283 239902

Last Modified: 09/11/2005 13:57:26
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