New “Harry Potter” World Record Set

West Byford Primary School set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of people dressed as Harry Potter together in one place!

Community News reported that the Western Australia primary school managed to gather 997 Harry Potters. The group was made up of both students and their parents, and teachers were invited to attend as other notable characters from the book.

Christine Matalex, the school’s library officer, along with fellow officer Julie Rose, organized the event to be the highlight of a series of Harry Potter celebrations the library hosted throughout the year.

“This is just bringing it all together to celebrate Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’s 20[-]year anniversary,” Christine said.

“This day is more importantly about Julie and I encouraging kids to read and thanking (author) JK Rowling.”

The previous record was set only two weeks ago by neighboring Wembley Primary School at 827. The record-breaking attempt was organized by Year 6 student and Harry Potter fan Charlotte Raston, who recently completed a PEAC course about record breaking.

For the attempts to officially qualify for a Guinness World Record, both groups needed to record video, take photographs, have multiple witnesses present, and sit in costume together for at least five minutes.

With all this friendly competition between schools, we will be anxiously waiting to see who will attempt to break the record next!