School Children Play Chess on the Roof of London’s O2 Arena

From the Classroom to the Sky: Chess in the Curriculum

Primary school students took chess to literal new heights, competing 52 meters above London on top of the O2 Arena. This unique event aimed to promote the significant educational benefits of chess and celebrate the launch of a new community chess club initiative.

Under sunny skies, students from The Pointer School played atop the famous London landmark. The true value of the event, however, was not merely its altitude but its success in highlighting the numerous cognitive advantages associated with playing chess. This high-profile game also marked the beginning of The Pointer School`s commitment to broaden access to chess within the community by opening a free after-school club to pupils in the Greenwich and South East London areas.

Open to passionate primary school-aged children, the new chess club is designed to offer structured coaching and opportunities to master this strategic game to young people who might not otherwise have access to such resources.

The Pointer School, a leading prep school in South London and part of the Dukes Education group, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The school has a proud history of chess success, notably having supported former student Shreyas Royal, who became England`s youngest ever chess grandmaster at the age of just 15.

Current Pointer School student Kushal Jakhria is set to compete in this year`s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in London this June. Additionally, the school`s full team reached the finals of the 2025 English Primary School Chess Association (EPSCA) National Primary Schools` Championships, further underlining the school`s strong performance in chess.

The Pointer School provides high-quality guidance and instruction for aspiring young chess players, integrated both within the curriculum and through extracurricular activities. Beyond helping talents like Shreyas Royal develop their skills, the school has a proven track record of student achievement in chess at regional, national, and even international levels. Studies consistently show that playing chess can enhance focus, memory, and critical thinking abilities, skills valuable not only in the game but also in everyday life.

Charlotte Crookes, Headteacher at The Pointer School, said:

“We believe strongly in the power of chess to develop key skills in our students – from problem-solving to resilience. Launching this community club allows us to share these benefits more widely.”

Selection for the new chess club, symbolically inaugurated with the O2 Arena event, will be based on the child`s passion, potential, and most importantly, curiosity for the game. Children from across the Greenwich and South East London areas are invited to join this after-school program, which will offer access to expert coaching and opportunities for competitive play.

Jerzy Dybowski, chess tutor at The Pointer School, said:

“Chess is a fantastic tool for learning. It teaches patience, planning, and foresight. We are excited to welcome young players from the community and help them discover the joy and benefits of chess.”

Spaces for the club are limited but available for all primary school-aged pupils. Anyone interested in registering their interest for this initiative can find details on The Pointer School website: pointers.school/about/chess-club

About The Pointer School

Founded in 1950, The Pointer School is an independent co-educational school located in Blackheath, Greenwich, South East London. It is renowned for its strong academic results, holistic educational approach, and vibrant arts and sports programmes. In 2025, the school celebrates 75 years of dedicated to nurturing curious minds and fostering opportunities for all students.

The Pointer School is a member of the Dukes Education family, recognized as the largest premium education group in the UK and one of Europe`s fastest-growing school networks. Dukes Education was established by Aatif Hassan in 2015 with the mission to provide young people with an outstanding start in life.

The Dukes group now comprises 62 education brands and over 80 locations across nine countries, supporting more than 21,000 pupils and 5,000 staff. Dukes also operates a range of leading summer short courses, university and medical school application consultancies, immersive career experience programs, and personalized one-to-one student support services, creating a comprehensive suite of services from early years through to career preparation.