THE accolades have added up for young mathematicians who have been ranked among the best in the country.
Pupils at Haughton Academy, Darlington, part of The Education Village Academy Trust, were presented with a host of certificates following their success in the annual Intermediate Mathematics Challenge, run by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT).
More than 200,000 pupils from 3,000 schools took part in the competition, aimed at students in Year 11 and below, which challenges students in creative mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Pupils are given an hour to complete 25 multiple choice questions under school exam conditions with gold, silver and bronze certificates awarded to the top 40 per cent of students nationally, with the most successful invited to take part in follow-on rounds.
Haughton Academy maths teacher James Romeanes said: “This is the first time for a couple of years we have entered the UKMT challenge and it is a fantastic result to see our gifted young mathematicians recognised for their efforts.
“We have a number of pupils who have very promising mathematical potential and this competition gives them a great platform to exhibit their talents.
“The questions are extremely tough, much more so than at GCSE level, so it is a fabulous achievement from all our pupils. It bodes well for our Year 11 pupils and their GCSE maths results this year.”
Bronze certificates were awarded to Year 9 pupils Jake Mason, 13, and Jorja Stewart, 14, who both received best in year accolades and Year 10 pupil Ewan Page, 14.
Silver certificates went to Year 10 pupils Kellen Xu, 14, and Charlotte Gibbs, 14, who was also awarded best in year and Year 11 pupil Adam Wilkinson.
Gold awards, which are given to just seven per cent of students nationally, went to Aiden Foster, 16, and Adam Biernat, 16, who also collected best in school and best in year award. Both were invited to participate in the next round of the competition which attracts entrants from over 50 countries globally.
Deputy head boy Adam, of Darlington, who is hoping to study maths, further maths, physics and computer science at sixth form college, said: “I enjoy thinking about things logically so I find it quite easy to pick up mathematical concepts.
“Some of the questions were hard, some not so much, but overall I was pleased with how I did.”
Head boy Aiden, of Darlington, who hopes to study law, psychology, maths, history and geography, with future ambitions to become a judge, added: “It was really pleasing to reach the second round and shows that Haughton Academy has really high aspirations for its pupils and has teachers who are passionate about helping pupils achieve their best.”