Harry Potter record attempt for Upton Court School

A bit of magic was all it took for pupils from Upton Court Grammar School to be part of a world record attempt. 

The 280 students from the school joined 75 schools across the country to be part of the world's largest reading lesson on Friday, June 24.

The record attempt coincided with National Book Day.

Pupils listened to the first two chapters from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The first was read by author JK Rowling herself, who was streamed live at school in Lascelles Road on a big screen.

The second chapter was read out by four pupils.

Final numbers are yet to be confirmed but organisers expect around 20,000 students to have joined the record breaking attempt.

That figure beats the previous record of 2,604 students, which was set in May this year.

School principal, Mercedes Hernandez Estrada, said: "Our students desire to break this record joined to their passion for literature made it possible for us to beat the previous record and set the bar high for future contenders."