Beano Reveals Britain's Funniest Class 2025

Genius “a-posh-trophe” gag wins the coveted trophy in nationwide school joke competition  

Beano has crowned the winner of its 2025 Britain’s Funniest Class competition, following a nationwide search that saw a panel of the comic’s expert gag makers narrow down the wittiest submissions to their favourite ten finalists, before handing the final decision over to a public vote. 

Among hundreds of hilarious entries from schools across the UK, it was Stratus Class (Year 5) from Riverley Primary School in Leyton, London, emerging victorious with their winning gag: "What do you call the fanciest punctuation? An a-posh-trophe" securing 36% of the overall vote and their title as the nation’s funniest class. 

Stratus Class and their teacher, Ms. Maisha Mahfuza, who has also been named Britain’s Funniest Teacher, have won the ultimate prize of being immortalised in Beano form by legendary artist Nigel Parkinson. 

Mike Stirling, Director of Mischief at Beano said: “As the only comic where kids are in charge, Beano continues to celebrate childhood in all its mischievous, screen-free glory. This annual competition is just one way Beano will power summer with pure fun, spotlighting the next generation of comedy geniuses. This perfectly crafted joke from Stratus Class is creative, mischievous and 100% funny! It had us laughing out loud. The comedy crown is safe with the Stratus kids!” 

Now in its seventh year championing the comedians of the future, the initiative aims to boost confidence and wellbeing in the classroom. It’s supported by children’s mental health charity Place2Be, who’ve partnered with Beano to create free, fun-filled Bouncebackability lessons - showing that laughter, movement and creativity can help improve mental wellbeing. 

Riverley Primary School's Maisha Mahfuza, crowned Britain’s Funniest Teacher said: “Seeing our class and joke featured in Beano was surreal. Britain’s Funniest Class competition is a fantastic way to spark laughter, boost creativity and build confidence in children. Learning should always come with a healthy dose of fun, and how many people can say they’ve spread a good giggle beyond the classroom to the whole nation?!”  

“Laughter can be a great way to relieve stress and improve mood”, says Dr Rebecca Kirkbride, Place2Be’s Clinical Director. “Whilst sharing a joke or funny story helps us connect with others and can help us feel happier, laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. This is particularly relevant in the current climate, where more and more children are struggling with anxiety and worry.” 

The winning school will also receive the official Beano 'Britain’s Funniest Class' trophy, coveted Golden Gnasher Badges, comic subscriptions for the whole class and their school library, and a copy of Beano’s boomic ‘The Day We Got Uploaded’. 

Competition was close, with runners up also delivering witty one-liners including "What’s the cleverest school dinner? Maths potato" and "Why did the chicken cross the road? Be-CAAWWW-se!”.  

Britain’s Funniest Class Shortlist: 

JOKE	SCHOOL	LOCATION
Why did the shark have stomach ache?   Because it ate a school dinner!	Gosforth East Middle School	Whitley Bay
What's the difference between Dennis and Gnasher?   Dennis wears shorts and Gnasher pants!	Woodland View Primary School	Northampton
What's the opposite of a Dandelion?   A BeanoTiger	Lancing Prep Worthing	Worthing
What did Stevie Star say when he finished the dramatic writing test?   I'm done done done!	Stradbroke Primary School	Sheffield
How do you get a class to be quiet?   Tell them this joke	Cross Arthurlie Primary	Glasgow
Why did the chicken cross the road?   Be-CAAWWWW-se!	Malvern Parish CofE Primary School	Malvern
What do dinosaurs eat?   ROAR carrots	St. Michael's Primary School	Lichfield
What's the cleverest school dinner?   Maths potato	St. Michael's Primary School	Lichfield
Gnasher tried to open a store.   Business was ruff!	Fitzjohn's Primary School	London

Find out more at beano.com/funniest-class