Young Londoners from across the capital compete in maths tournament at City Hall
Young Londoners from schools across the capital have competed in two pan-London maths tournaments, culminating in two Grand Finals at City Hall this July.
The Count on Us Primary and Secondary Maths Challenges are annual competitions held for primary school pupils and secondary school students respectively – with the latter supported by the Jack Petchey Foundation.
This year, Elmgrove Primary School from Harrow took the Champions trophy in the primary tournament, with The Holy Cross School from Kingston-upon-Thames taking the secondary tournament’s top prize.
Elmgrove Primary School sealed their second consecutive crown following a victory in 2022, while The Holy Cross School won the competition as fresh faces, having never competed in the Grand Final before.
They came out on top despite incredibly strong competition from the other finalists – which included 13 other primary schools and 11 other secondary schools.
The finalists in each tournament were:
Primary Maths Challenge:
- All Souls C of E Primary School (Westminster)
- Baring Primary School (Lewisham)
- Beecroft Primary School (Lewisham)
- Cheam Fields Primary School (Sutton)
- Chisenhale Primary School (Tower Hamlets)
- Elmgrove Primary School (Harrow)
- Gayhurst Primary School (Hackney)
- Harris Junior Academy Carshalton (Sutton)
- Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich (Southwark)
- Lawdale Junior School (Tower Hamlets)
- Nelson Primary School (Newham)
- Reay Primary School (Lambeth)
- Trinity Primary School (Lewisham)
Secondary Maths Challenge:
- Haberdashers’ Borough Academy (Southwark)
- Mayfield School (Redbridge)
- Oasis Academy South Bank (Lambeth)
- The Camden School for Girls (Camden)
- The Holy Cross School (Kingston upon Thames)
- The Norwood School (Lambeth)
- Beths Grammar School (Bexley)
- Highbury Fields School (Islington)
- Norlington School & Sixth Form (Waltham Forest)
- Plashet School (Newham)
- St Matthew Academy (Lewisham)
- Woodcote High School (Croydon)
The Grand Finals welcomed members of the London Assembly alongside two special speakers addressing the finalists ahead of the award ceremonies: Deputy Mayor for Children and Families Joanne McCartney, and well-known mathematician and Mayor’s Fund for London ambassador, Dr Simon Singh MBE.
The Count on Us Challenge was delivered in over 150 schools this academic year, using team games to engage young people in curriculum maths and problem-solving. Teams from each school competed in regional heats, with the top 26 taking part in a showpiece Grand Final at the home of the Mayor of London and London Assembly. This year’s Challenge saw over 11,000 young people participating, with 82% of teachers agreeing Count on Us improves students’ attitudes towards maths.
Enjoyed by young Londoners across the capital, the unique tournament celebrates achievement, boosts confidence, makes maths fun, and helps re-engage children at risk of falling behind in their education.
While the 2022/23 academic year marks the final year of the Count on Us Primary Maths Challenge, the Secondary Maths Challenge will return in 2023/24 – with applications set to open in September.
