Top Of The Form began life at 7.30 pm on Saturday 1 May 1948, as a radio series on the BBC Light Programme. The first two teams were Sloane School and Davenant Foundation School – London boys’ schools – with questions put by Wynford Vaughan Thomas.
The following year, it took on its familiar shape, touring the country and broadcasting from the schools it visited, pitching girls against boys. This necessitated two question masters, so Vaughan Thomas gave way to Lionel Gamlin and Robert MacDermott.
The format transitioned to BBC television in 1962, where it was titled Television Top of the Form and hosted by Geoffrey Wheeler.
The series tended to feature grammar schools, though in later years, as these schools became less common, comprehensive schools also appeared.
There was an increasing dominance by independent schools. The autumn 1967 series featured only comprehensive schools.
BBC Radio 4 continued with the format from 1970 to 1986. The final episode went to air on Tuesday 2 December 1986.
Reportedly the series was finally cancelled because the competitive nature of the show jarred with modern educational philosophy. The show was also expensive to produce, requiring two separate outside broadcast units.
Question Masters
Geoffrey Wheeler
Paddy Feeny
John Edmunds
David Dimbleby
Audio
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The following year, it took on its familiar shape, touring the country and broadcasting from the schools it visited, pitching girls against boys. This necessitated two question masters, so Vaughan Thomas gave way to Lionel Gamlin and Robert MacDermott.
