West Norfolk Maths Challenge Inspires the Next Generation

At the end of this half-term we were proud to host the very first West Norfolk Maths Challenge for pupils from nearby primary schools in Year 5. In an effort to increase engagement in maths and nurture our future mathematicians, we ran a day of fun but challenging activities.

After arrival pupils were introduced to the first task the “Relay Race”, supporting collaboration and building teamwork to answer a set of mathematical problems, one after the other. Using the previous answer to work out the next problem, our teams split into pairs to tackle this tricky task and maximise their points.

The second challenge continued to require teamwork but added an extra leadership element. The ‘Square Challenge’ required teams to create as many squares as possible inside a grid. Pupils needed significant spatial reasoning to ‘see’ all the squares in different orientations. Points were scored for creating the highest number of squares and teams that could think outside the ‘square’ were the most successful. This task was super challenging and got all the teams discussing a whole reem of options!

After a break, teams were set the classic ‘Padlock Challenge’. The pupils had to work quickly to find a code that would unlock a padlock, colour coded to a corresponding problem sheet, with four different codes increasing in difficulty. By answering mathematical problems pupils could find clues to the code, the more questions they got right the easier the code was to break. The first team to get the correct code could race to the front to unlock the correct colour coded padlock for bonus points!

Before lunch everyone took part in the ‘Eliminator’, a head-to-head challenge where individual mental maths skills were put to the test. Everyone played together in the biggest round of this challenge we have ever seen! Each pupil worked hard to answer questions correctly to remain in the game. Speed and accuracy were required to avoid elimination as the questions became increasingly difficult. The challenge continued until there was only one person remaining, and points were awarded to those who survived the longest.

After lunch the teams regrouped and prepared themselves for their final task, the ‘Practical Challenge’. Teams split up to tackle the two octopus operations challenges in tandem. Pupils worked to answer mathematical problems and collect a series of numbers presented on different sea creatures. Once the numbers had been found the pupils had to follow clues to arrange the numbers in the correct order on the legs of the octopuses. Then, one more clue would need to be followed to reveal the final code of the day to win the points. Figuring out the right answer against the clock was key in this fast-paced fishy task!

All pupils had a fantastic time at KES and received a KES ‘goodie bag’ to take home with them. All teams worked so hard and tried their best, but in the end the first winners of the West Norfolk Maths Challenge were Whitefriars Church of England Primary Academy! We hope to start off this new tradition and welcome back our neighbouring primary schools in the future to continue to spark mathematical curiosity and a love of maths in young people.

Mr Frankowski, East Maths Community Teacher and Associate Standards Leader said:

“It was inspiring to see the pupils approach the challenges with such enthusiasm, displaying exceptional teamwork and resilience when it mattered most. I'm deeply grateful to all the staff and students who contributed to the event and helped create such a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”