Maths competition adds up to great day for BRGS brainboxes
A TEAM of pupils from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School took on teams from across the UK in a maths competition.
Four students from years seven and nine at the school competed in the National Final of this year’s UK Team Maths Challenge trophy held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.
The event marked the first time a team from the school had reached the final stage of the prestigious competition, which gives youngsters the opportunity to tackle a variety of mathematical activities while developing teamwork and communication skills.
The team qualified for the contest, run annually by the UK Mathematics Trust, after beating off more than 1,600 schools to finish in joint-first place at the Regional Final held in March.
Pitted against 87 other schools at the final were year seven pupils Jason Diamantis and Joseph Nogbou and Matt Denham and Ed Glover, from year nine.
The brainy pupils were asked to complete a number of tasks including a ‘group circus’ involving hands-on maths problems and a series of shuttles, in which the answer from one question feeds into the next.
They also tried their hand at a mathematical crossword called a ‘crossnumber’, with numerical answers.
To complete the crossword teams had to work in pairs, with one pair having the across clues and the other pair the down clues.
The pairs then worked independently to complete the grid using logic and deduction.
There was also a relay race combining physical and mental agility and a separate poster competition based on a mathematical subject which teams had prepared in advance, and incorporating answers to questions on the day.
BRGS maths teacher Mark Wilbraham, who accompanied the team to London, said: “It really was a magnificent CONTACT: DANIELLE ROPER OFFICE: 0161 2112295 @RoperDanielle DANIELLE.ROPER@TRINITYMIRROR.COM ●● BRGS students Jason Diamantis and Matt Denham (left) and Joseph Nogbou and Ed Glover try their hand at the crossnumber challenge achievement for our team of pupils to reach the National Final.
“The journeys to and from the capital were long and tiring, but the pupils were fully focussed for all of the challenges they faced and they really gave the competition their very best shot.
“Although we weren’t placed in the National Final, to make it and be in the top four per cent of teams in the country showed the depth of mathematical expertise and enthusiasm that so many of our pupils possess.
“As a department and as a school, we are really proud of their achievements and we are hopeful of reaching the same stage again next year, when Jason and Joseph will still be eligible to participate.”