TALENTED mathematicians have achieved national acclaim after competing in a UK wide competition.
More than 150 students from Bede Academy, Blyth, took part in the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge which tests over 200,000 of the most able students throughout the country awarding gold, silver and bronze prizes to the top 40 percent of participants.
The challenge, run by The UK Mathematical Trust, is aimed at young people in Years 9-11 and sets a series of multiple choice questions focused on mathematical problem-solving, challenging students to think creatively and logically.
Bede Academy maths teacher Fiona Matthews said: “We have been entering the competition for a number of years and once again our students have performed extremely well.
“The challenge really encourages them to think about maths by testing their deeper knowledge of the subject and helping them to understand why things are the way they are.
“It also has an element of healthy competition which is especially good for our high achievers since they can pitch themselves against the best young mathematicians in other schools around the country.”
Bede students collected a total of five silver awards and 24 bronze certificates, with the top scorers in each year group all being girls.
Year 11 student and silver award winner Katherine Finnemore, 16, who achieved the highest score in the whole academy, said: “The questions were very challenging and very different from the work we do in the classroom. It forced you to think more logically about the answers.
“I’ve entered the competition before but this is the first time I’ve been the highest scorer.
“I really enjoy maths and am hoping to take it as one of my subjects at A level.” Achieving the highest score in Year 10 was Christie Wilce, 15, of Blyth, who was awarded a silver certificate, and in Year 9 Hannah White, 14, of Blyth, who received a bronze award.
“This is the third time I’ve taken part in the UK Maths Challenge and it seemed a lot harder this year,” said Hannah.
“It was a big surprise to me to have done so well but I’m really pleased as maths is one of my favourite subjects.”
