THE brightest mathematician in a school’s history has been invited to join a prestigious workshop sponsored by Oxford University involving the best number crunchers in the country.
UKMT Mathematics Trust gold standard holder Aidan Sterling was invited to join finalists in a Kangaroo contest, a personal success for himself and coup for his school, St Aidan’s Academy, Darlington.
He has also just been invited to take a coveted place at a prestigious week-long summer school supported by Balliol College, Oxford, to be held at Woodhouse Grove School, West Yorkshire, in July.
The Year 10 student, who knew his 12 times tables in reception class and secured a Grade B maths GCSE in Year 7, is now on par with the best young mathematicians in the world.
At the summer school he will mix with some of the best maths brains in the country, including Oxford tutors and students from top schools in the state and independent sectors.
Assistant Principal and Director of Learning Maths David Spenceley said: “Only five per cent of students are involved with UKMT and only 1.5 per cent of them are invited to the summer school – that’s less than 200 from across the country.
“The initiative has been running since 1994 and is still organised by the UKMT and Oxford University, which has been home to some of the best mathematical brains in the world. To be invited they must have recognised a rare ability in Aidan.
“In my career he is certainly the most talented mathematician I have ever come across and I could not be prouder.
“His problem-solving skills are beyond amazing and I often look to him for reassurance when the class is tackling some of the more complex mathematics. I haven’t come across another student in the North-East being invited to the summer school.”
Next year Aidan will sit GSCE maths and statistics and further maths with a view to studying A levels and a degree in computing, software development, programming and coding.
He said: “I am really pleased to be invited to the summer school. When I looked at what students did last year it looked really amazing and it will be great to be mixing with the best of the best.”
Maths at St Aidan’s Academy has grown from strength to strength with around 60 students a year now entering the UKMT maths challenges.