Maths Challenge Cup

Children from a North East education trust figured out a way to combine work and play in a special maths challenge competition.

Nearly 100 Year 4 pupils from the six schools that make up the Prince Regent Street Trust gathered at Barley Fields Primary School, in Ingleby Barwick, for a celebration of maths and learning.

Splitting into teams named for local Teesside landmarks – such as Team Captain Cook Monument, Team Roseberry Topping, and Team Transporter Bridge – children from different schools worked together to solve maths-based challenges all over the school grounds.

Emma Hills, maths lead for Hartburn Primary School, led the day. She said: “This is the first time we’ve run this challenge across the whole trust, and it’s been a fantastic experience.

“The children have really enjoyed the day. It’s something different, it gets them outdoors and active, and most importantly, it helps them develop their maths skills in a fun and engaging way.

“We’ve been especially impressed with their resilience – they make mistakes, but because it’s presented as a game, they just dust themselves off and try again!”

The children tackled a variety of activities designed to make learning maths interactive and exciting. These included a giant 100-square human ‘snakes and ladders’ game, interactive ‘smart wall’ video games, 3D modelling, orienteering around the school grounds, and a numeracy puzzle relay race requiring them to leap from spot to spot.

At the end of the morning, the team with the highest score was awarded the Prince Regent Street Trust Annual Maths Challenge Cup.

Alice Tattersall from Kader Academy, who was part of the winning River Tees team, said: “Maths is one of my favourite lessons, but my favourite part of the day was winning the trophy!

“I’ve loved today because I got to see friends from other schools, and I really enjoyed the maths games.”

Emma added: “I want to say a big thank you to Barley Fields for hosting us. The school has been the perfect setting to launch this annual event, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!”