Students and teachers at Melksham Oak Community School have been celebrating after Year 7 and 8 maths students achieved bronze and silver awards in a national maths challenge.
Teachers at Melksham Oak Community School, part of The White Horse Federation, invited Year 7 and 8 pupils to enter the UK Maths Trust (UKMT) Junior Maths Challenge.
The 60-minute, 25-multiple-choice test is designed to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency to make students think.
Following the challenge, 14 Year 7 students and 14 year 8 students received either bronze or silver awards. Bronze, silver and gold certificates are awarded to the top scoring 50% of the entrants across the country, based on their mark in the paper.
Heidi Shore, associate assistant principal at Melksham Oak said, “We’re absolutely thrilled that so many of our students received bronze and silver in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. Not only do these awards represent aptitude in maths, they also demonstrate problem solving ability, reasoning and our young people’s ambition and determination to do well.
“Maths is a core part of the curriculum but we’re always looking for ways to enhance and stretch the teaching of this important subject. It’s great to see our students engaging in additional opportunities like this maths challenge and developing their skills beyond lessons.”
Theo, a Year 7 silver award-winning student said, “I thought it was quite enjoyable because the problems were fun. My parents were very happy! Next year, I want to get a gold!”
Millie, a Year 7 bronze award winner added, “I was just very shocked that I managed to get a certificate because the questions were quite challenging and I didn’t feel like I was good enough in the lessons. Now I know I am.”
Amber, a Year 8 bronze award winner said, “It was pretty fun and was a little bit challenging, but I would happily do it again. I thought it was a great test of everything we have learnt. I was happy that I managed to get a bronze.”
