Mathletes find the positives following maths challenge

Mathletes representing The King Alfred School took part in the UK Maths Trust (UKMT) Team Challenge this term, travelling to the City of London School for a regional heat.

With four rounds and 24 teams competing, the event tested the Upper School students’ mathematical problem-solving abilities while also developing their teamwork and communication skills.

The challenging rounds included:

• The Group Round – Collaborate to solve a series of intriguing mathematical problems.
• The Crossnumber – A mathematical twist on the classic crossword puzzle.
• The Shuttle Round – Speed and accuracy are key as teams exchange answers to build upon each other’s solutions.
• The Relay Round – A high-energy event requiring quick thinking and seamless teamwork.

“It was tough, but we all rose to the challenge,” shared Elvis S (Year 9). “We needed to work together and understand how each other thinks. It was a great experience.”

The team (pictured top with Maths teacher Sam Kirkwood) finished the day in 16th place. “The questions were hard, but overall it was really fun,” said fellow mathlete Troy S (Year 9), who was philosophical about the result.

“The experience taught me that there are always things you can improve on. You can think you’re good at maths but there’s probably always going to be someone smarter than you, so you should just focus on being the best that you can be.”

It’s a busy time for the KAS Maths department, as later this year all students in Years 7 & 8 will take part in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge.

Some will no doubt want to take advantage of our regular Maths drop-in sessions, which take place every morning before school, Tuesday lunchtime and Thursday after school.

And for those eager for an extra challenge, there’s Maths Club every Friday lunchtime, which goes beyond the curriculum. For the mathletes, the club allows them to elevate their learning and nourish their love of the subject. “I like maths because it’s logical and challenging,” says Troy. “There’s often multiple ways to figure things out.”