This week in primary schools, assemblies and classroom discussions have focused on competition, with a particular spotlight on the return of the popular dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. The 20th series, which began on the 3rd of October 2022, has brought excitement with its largest ever group of professional dancers and 15 celebrities competing for the glitterball trophy. Spotlight: Strictly Come Dancing Returns Strictly Come Dancing is a British television dance contest pairing celebrities with professional dancers to learn a new routine each week. A panel of judges scores them out of 10, while viewers participate through a public vote. The two couples with the lowest combined scores dance again in a final performance. After this dance-off, judges decide who stays and who leaves the competition. This year’s lineup includes Kym Marsh, Helen Skelton, Tony Adams, Ellie Simmonds, James Bye, and Matt Goss. The show’s appeal comes from its mixture of talent, creativity, and often emotional journeys for the contestants, who experience both high points – like achieving a perfect score – and challenges, such as being eliminated. Highs and Lows of the Dance Floor Strictly Come Dancing features both triumphant moments and setbacks. The highest possible score is 40, awarded for exceptional performances, while the lowest ever was a total of 8 for a single dance. According to judge Motsi Mabuse, the programme can be about much more than simply the marks or dances—it is memorable for special moments, pride, and connection. Understanding Competition: What It Means Competition is an event where individuals or groups try to win a prize, achieve a goal, or prove who is the best. It can be found in many aspects of life, from sports and arts contests to academic and workplace challenges. Sometimes, competition is against others, while at other times, it may involve striving to do better than your past self. Types of Competitions Sports competitions (running, football, gymnastics) Job interviews Arts and crafts contests (painting, modelling) World records Business competitions (companies striving to be the most popular) Personal goals (self-improvement challenges) Some competitions are famous worldwide, such as The Voice, Tour de France, Guinness World Records, and the Nobel Prizes. Each offers a unique prize or honour for the winners. The Value of Taking Part Diverse feelings accompany competition—joy and pride for the winners, disappointment or frustration for those who do not succeed. It's often said, "it's the taking part that counts," encouraging everyone to value effort and learning over simply winning. Reflecting on competition helps pupils see both its challenges and rewards. It can motivate us to try harder, encourage teamwork, and teach valuable lessons—even when we do not win. Competitions in Daily Life Competition is not limited to TV shows or global events. It happens in everyday school life: class contests, sports days, or even friendly games. Organising or participating in these events can build confidence, creativity, and a sense of achievement. Ideas for School Competitions Research and write about a famous competition. Set up a maths or spelling challenge to compete with yourself. Organise an art contest with entry posters and certificates for winners. Design and make your own award for achievements such as kindness or great effort. Understanding How Competition Works Every competition has its own rules about how to enter, how to win, and what counts as fair play. These guidelines help keep things safe and fair for everyone involved. While some competitions offer trophies or fame, others may reward effort and improvement. Emotions and Competition Taking part in competitions brings out a wide range of feelings—joyful, worried, excited, or disappointed. Learning to manage these emotions is part of personal growth. Supporting and encouraging each other through competition is key to building a positive environment at school and beyond. Reflection: Why Do We Compete? Competitions are a part of life, with opportunities for success and moments of challenge. As we pursue individual and shared goals, it’s important to value participation, help one another, and celebrate effort as much as achievement. Useful Resources Stay up to date with this week’s news story: BBC Entertainment & Arts Watch the trailer for Strictly Come Dancing: Strictly Trailer Join the discussion and explore more resources: Picture News Discussion Explore More from Picture News Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training Competition, in all its forms, teaches vital skills and values. Whether you’re a contestant, a supporter, or an organiser, remember to focus on growth, fairness, and enjoyment. Good luck with your next challenge!
