A BID to break the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Reading Lesson was made by Woolmer Hill School with a bit of help from Harry Potter.

To celebrate National Book Day 236 pupils from the school joined students from more than 75 others to beat the current record for a simultaneous mass reading, which stands at 3,509.

The challenge began at exactly 9am and each pupil was given a specially prepared version of the first two chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Woolmer Hill pupils did not have to read alone. The guided reading element lasted for 20 minutes during which English teacher Simone Pope read the first chapter. There then followed 10 minutes of silent reading when many of the pupils were able to read all of chapter two.

“As this was an official world record attempt, there were numerous stewards armed with stopwatches who also made sure that all pupils were reading avidly,” headteacher Clare Talbot said.

She also thanked town councillor Melanie Odell and Catherine Rowley from Haslemere Book Shop, who “very kindly” attended to officially to witness the record bid.

The school is waiting to hear whether or not a new world record was set. In the meantime it seems many pupils are taking the opportunity to re-read Harry’s adventures, Mrs Talbot said.