...and the funniest teacher, too

The Beano has launched its annual competition to find Britain's funniest primary school class – and this time with a new category for the funniest teacher too.

This year’s competition – which invites schools and teachers to submit their pupils’ best jokes– coincides with the 70^th anniversary of the comic’s Bash Street Kids.

The most side-splitting jokes will be put to a public vote to decide the winning class and one class will be crowned winner and immortalised in a special edition of the comic.   

The launch of the competition marks the 70^th anniversary of The Bash Street Kids, which has led the charge on classroom comedy for the last seven decades. 

Britain’s Funniest Class, now in its sixth year, aims to encourage better mental health in the classroom, with charity partners Place2Be offering free resources to improve wellbeing.

The real-life school children crowned Britain’s Funniest Class following a public vote will be captured by Beano illustrators for inclusion in a special edition of the comic.   It will be the very first time that a whole class of real-life children will be immortalised in a Bash Street Kids story.  

Mike Stirling, ‘director of mischief’ at Beano, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to launch our biggest ever Britain's Funniest Class competition, whilst also celebrating our very own funniest class – The Bash Street Kids. 

‘The characters of class 2B, with all of their unique super-powers and flaws remind adults and children alike that it’s great to be different. We hope that the Bash Street Kids inspire this year’s entrants to express themselves and we can't wait to see all the incredible and hilarious jokes from classrooms across the UK.'

Michelle Bates, headteacher at Greasley Beauvale Primary School, winners of last year's competition, said: "The classroom and the school flourished when we rallied together as a team for the common goal of laughter. It was wonderful to see the classroom grow in confidence and creativity.’

Britain’s Funniest Class entries are open here: beano.com/schools. The winner will be unveiled in May.

Published: 11 Feb 2024