UK Maths Challenges 2025-26

It is an I&S tradition to enter students into the three levels of the UK Maths Trust’s Maths Challenges. Students have to complete a multiple-choice paper in exam conditions, full of tricky maths puzzles to be solved! The competition is open to students across the UK. This year, we were thrilled that, once again, nearly 250 students took part across the three levels.

Junior (Years 7 & 8)

Not long after Easter, 83 top set students in Years 7 & 8 completed the national Junior Maths Challenge. We were very impressed by a set of fantastic results, with 39% of students achieving either Bronze, Silver or Gold. The best in each year group was Kelvin Pardo Buikus (Year 7) and Nicholas Main (Year 8). Nicholas was also the best Junior participant, so a huge congratulations to him. Well done to everyone who took part, and to the staff for the work involved to make it happen!

Intermediate (Years 9-11)

At the end of January, 120 students in Years 9-11 entered the Intermediate Maths Challenge - superb participation! The results were impressive, with almost 50% of entrants receiving colours. When restricted to just Year 10, two-thirds of the group achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold. Four students qualified for the next round, called the Intermediate Kangaroo - well done to Aryan Rajan and Aaran Makwana (Year 9), and Mahin Patel and Finley Thomas (both Year 11). Congratulations as well to Roo Clark who was the best Year 10 competitor.

Senior (Years 11-13)

During the Autumn Term, 45 students in Years 11-13 took part in the Senior Maths Challenge. This tricky challenge is mainly targeted at A level students, but it can also be sat by younger students with high potential. So we were really pleased to see some Year 11s taking part. Overall, 42% of the students earned a bronze, silver or gold. Finley Thomas was the best performer in Year 11, while Hanaan Hussain was the top Year 12 and Ali Haider the highest-scoring Year 13. Congratulations to Hanaan for achieving the top overall senior score.