Pupils in Form 5 and Form 6 take the Primary Maths Challenge. This is done in the Michaelmas
term. Pupils can achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, based on nationally set benchmarks.
We will soon be sent the score boundaries and then be able to award the pupils accordingly. The
pupils with the highest scores in the country qualify for the Primary Maths Challenge Bonus
round. This will take place in the middle of February and we will inform the pupils who have
qualified for that very shortly.

Pupils in Form 7 and Form 8 are entered into the Junior Maths Challenge (run by the United
Kingdom Mathematics Trust). This challenge is taken by over a quarter of a million pupils every
year. It is designed for pupils in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9).

The Junior Maths Challenge takes place at the end of April, and again involves Bronze, Silver and
Gold awards, as well as a Best in Year Award, and Best in School Award.

The pupils with the highest scores in the country qualify for a bonus round called the Junior
Kangaroo (several thousand pupils qualify). There is a further follow-on round, the Junior
Mathematical Olympiad, for the pupils who score very highly on the Junior Maths Challenge. The
Junior Olympiad is longer than other challenges, and involves fewer, bigger problems. Entrance
into the bonus rounds is by invitation from the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust.

The Intermediate Maths Challenge (also run by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust), is
designed for pupils in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). We always like to stretch and challenge our
pupils in maths. We encourage ambition. This year, we have decided to enter a select few of our
most able pupils into the Intermediate Maths Challenge to see how they find it.

It is likely that pupils will continue to do UKMT Maths Challenges in their chosen senior school.
There is also a Senior Maths Challenge, aimed at Sixth Form pupils (A-Level or International Baccalaureate qualifications) as well as a Team Maths Challenge which some schools enter.

Our motivation to run these challenges is to promote Mathematics across the school and to have activities that are different to our normal program. It is also an advantage when applying to senior schools, as pupils can discuss the challenges they’ve taken part in when applying to schools, or during an interview. Maths is a subject which is judged just on examination scores (there is no coursework or project work involved at Common Entrance, GCSE or A-Level), so it is
also a good opportunity for pupils to practise doing Maths independently in examination conditions without the pressure of worrying about a grade.

The pupils at CCCS perform very well in these challenges every year and we expect even more success moving forwards.

Mr Withers
Head of Maths