Maths Genius!

“The UKMT Individual Maths Challenges are lively, intriguing multiple choice question papers, which are designed to stimulate interest in maths in large numbers of pupils. The three levels cover the secondary school range 11-18 and together they attract over 600,000 entries from over 4000 schools and colleges.” (UKMT)

In February 2012, 90 boys from years 8 to 11 entered the UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) Intermediate Individual Challenge. The Intermediate Challenge is aimed at pupils in years 9 to 11, but we decided to also enter some of our brightest boys from year 8. The challenge involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in one hour and is sat in school under normal exam conditions.

Around 200,000 pupils nationally sit the Intermediate Individual Challenges. Of these, the top scoring 5,500 pupils (less than 3% of those who entered!) are invited to enter the Kangaroo European Challenge. These are also one-hour papers with 25 multiple choice questions, taken by pupils from over 30 countries worldwide.

“Each year over three million school pupils across Europe (and beyond) take part at various levels. So when you sit the Kangaroo you are part of a huge European community of maths students.”(UKMT)

We are delighted to announce that one of our year 8 pupils, Johnny Yi, made it through to the Kangaroo European Challenge. This is an amazing achievement: not only is the Intermediate Challenge aimed at the most able pupils in years 9 to 11, and Johnny is only in year 8, but also less than 3% make it through!

Even more amazing is how Johnny performed in the European round. The average score across the UK was 76. The top score was 118. Johnny scored 107: 31 marks above the average, and only 11 marks below the top score...of pupils mainly one to three years older than him!

We always new Johnny was an especially gifted mathematician, but we now know he is one of the brightest mathematicians in the UK. Well done Johnny!

Mrs Hodgson
Maths Challenge Coordinator