ST GEORGE’S WEYBRIDGE AND LAWRENCE SHERIFF SCHOOL CROWNED WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS’ AWARDS

• Grand Final took place at the University of Cambridge on Wednesday 9th January
• Teams fought off tough competition from hundreds of schools across the UK
• Explore Learning are inspiring the next generation of mathematicians with University Challenge Legend, Bobby Seagull as the official ambassador

After weeks of hard work, tough mathematical training and three days of intense competitions, teams from St George’s Weybridge and Lawrence Sheriff School have been crowned the winners of the the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards.
In the primary school competition, Felix Clune, Som Shah, Adam Franks and Yuvan Raja from St George’s Weybridge were crowned champions, fighting off competition from teams from Boughton Leigh Junior School, Elvetham Heath Primary School, Rothersthorpe C of E Primary School and Nelson Primary School. And in the secondary school contest, Ittu Phago, Leo Siby, Pritesh Mistry and Adam Marlow from Lawrence Sheriff School were victorious, beating teams from John Hampden Grammar School, Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, St John’s on the Hill and Altrincham Grammar School.
The children all took part in two dramatic heats to make it to the final where they battled against one another under the watchful eye of maths guru and Univeristy legend, Bobby Seagull. Using teamwork, initiative and mathematical prowess, St George’s Weybridge and Lawrence Sheriff School scored the highest number of points on the day.

Antony Shawyer, Head of Mathematics at St George’s Weybridge says: “St. George’s Junior School is very proud of the achievement of its Year 6 team in winning this national mathematics competition. The competition was tough and the other schools were really great; everyone wanted to win! Our motto was “Try our best to be the best”. The problem set by NRICH for the finalists was really interesting and very challenging. We enjoyed working on it and were relieved when we finally cracked it. It was an extraordinary experience and we are very grateful to Explore Learning, NRICH and Cambridge University for creating and running this stupendous event. We can’t wait to take part in the senior competition in the future.”

The annual competition is organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning, and NRICH at the University of Cambridge with the main aim of inspiring children across the UK to see the fun that maths can bring, push themselves to reach their full potential and to work as a team.
Bobby said: “Congratulations to St George’s Weybridge and Lawrence Sheriff School on winning such a tightly-fought competition – they must be feeling on top of the world! It was so exciting to see these young minds work together so effectively to display their mathematical thinking, persistence and team work. With champions like these winners, I am now feeling so positive about the future of maths!”
Last year’s winner was a team from Ladbrooke Junior Mixed and Infant School from Potters Bar.

Charlotte Gater, Head of Curriculum at Explore Learning says: “We had the highest number of entries this year and so the teams from St George’s Weybridge and Lawrence Sheriff School have done amazingly well to be crowned champions and get the highest scores in the country! We hope this gives them the confidence to value their strengths, inspire their fellow school friends and consider a career in maths! Perhaps we have got a future Stephen Hawking or Bobby Seagull amongst them!
“Explore Learning are thrilled to hold such a successful competition – to see the response from children has been incredible as they work as a team, encourage one another and really try their best.”
As well as being named the best young mathematicians in the country, the winning team were awarded incredible prizes from Meccano, Letts Revision, i-Top and Sum Fun, including:
• One of the hottest toys on the market, BOXER from Spin Master is your real robot pal, worth £79.99. BOXER is a tiny interactive AI robot buddy filled with technology, fun games, and a lively personality. It includes touch sensors, game activating feature cards and remote control!
• An i-Top each – the next generation of electronic spinning game worth £14.99
• Sum Fun games
• Book bundle from Letts Revision worth £60
Varun Gard, School Teacher at Lawrence Sheriff School says: “The school is immensely proud of the team. They are very competitive and have channelled this into the competition. They are confident in their mathematical ability, however they have improved a great deal on their teamwork skills. We are looking at training harder for next year – hopefully we can win again!”


Photo caption: left to right Bobby Seagull, Adam Marlow, Leo Siby, Pritesh Mistry, Ittu Phago

Schools can enter for 2019 via www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngmathematicians.
Explore Learning is an award-winning provider of extra tuition for children aged four to 14 with 141 centres located across the UK, taking a unique and personalised approach to maths and English tuition. Since 2001 over 200,000 children have excelled academically, reached their potential and achieved the best possible results with Explore Learning. They are unwavering in their mission to develop a generation of fearless learners; children who will excel in the classroom, be confident in exams and fearless in school and beyond.
For more information on the awards and to register a team please visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngmathematicians or speak to a member of the team on 01483 447410.