AN entire school year group sat down together to read the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as part of a world record attempt.

Year seven pupils at St John’s School and Sixth Form Academy, in Bishop Auckland, gathered in the hall today (Friday, June 24) to read the passage from a whiteboard, accompanied by their teachers.

The school was one of 75 across the country to take part in the event on which aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest reading lesson which current stands at 3,509 youngsters.

They all had to read the same chapter from the JK Rowling novel, at the same time and gather evidence to prove they met the requirements which included the sounding of a loud horn at the start and end of the 30 minute lesson.

Linzi Heads, learning resource manager at the catholic school, said: “We really hope to have help break the world record.

“We like to be the biggest and best here at St John’s and have a fantastic reading culture in school.

“Year seven pupils have read 4,000 books between them since September.

“Reading is a life skill.”

Bishop Auckland’s Deputy Mayor Bishop Auckland Town Councillor David Fleming and town businessman Steve Coulthard were invited along to be independent witnesses.