Young mathmaticians compete in pan-London maths tournament

24 London primary and secondary schools across 15 London boroughs feature in the Count on Us Challenge Finals at the prestigious venue Church House, Westminster.
7th July 2021

Last week, Years 4 and 5 pupils and Years 7, 8 and 9 students came together in person to compete in socially distanced Finals for the 2021 Count on Us Challenge. After spending the last academic year practicing with teammates and against peers in a series of online heats, the finalist teams were excited to put their mathematical skills to the test once more in a live event.

The Primary Challenge engages at least 30 pupils in each school initially with a team of 3 pupils then being selected to represent each school in Challenge events. The Secondary Challenge engages at least 60 students in each school, with a team of 5 selected to represent each school.

Reay Primary School, Lambeth were crowned winners of the Primary Challenge and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Crayford Academy, Bexley won the Secondary Challenge.

Good numeracy is an effective protective factor against unemployment, low wages and wider societal problems, including poor health.

The Count on Us programme challenges, motivates and inspires young mathematicians across the capital. Activities for primary pupils include Shape, Mental arithmetic using the 24® Game with single and double digits, and Code breaking whilst secondary students take part in The Game of Hex, GridLines Geometry, Mental arithmetic using the 24® Game with single and double digits, fractions and decimals and Algebra & Coding. The activities boost academic attainment and ultimately improve life chances, helping young people make a positive contribution to society.

The recent Ofsted “Research Review Series: mathematics” report (May 2021) fully supports competition in maths as being a driver to success:

“When pupils obtain levels of proficiency, they look forward to and enjoy tests Competitive maths games are, for example, more effective for learning and retention than non-competitive games.The goals of trying to achieve a personal best and doing well compared to the average mediate later attainment.”

To date, the Count on Us programme has engaged more than 73,600 primary and secondary school students. Next year, we will evolve activities to help support schools with their recovery and catch-up agendas.