School progresses in 2017 maths challenge

Portsmouth Grammar School sent a team of four students to Churcher’s College, Petersfield last week, for the regional finals of the competition, where 34 other schools were also in attendance.

The team comprised Olivia Spink, John Yu, Robin Cavusoglu and Oliver Durrant, all from Years 8 and 9.

During the regional finals, the teams took part in four vigorously testing rounds, including a group round, crossnumber (similar to a crossword) and a relay.

Elisa Linley, head of marketing at Portsmouth Grammar School explained: ‘In the group round, teams work to solve 10 questions of varying type and difficulty in the time allowed.

‘Each team must decide their own strategy: whether to work in pairs, individually or as a team.

‘However, the students’ favourite challenge seemed to be the relay; teams split off into pairs, with pairs taking it in turns to solve problems.

‘This round involved lots of movement as well as mathematics: a race against the clock with lots of lively activity and excitement.’

Against tough competition such as Portsmouth High School and Royal Grammar School in Guildford, Portsmouth Grammar School emerged as the winners of the challenge.

Assistant head Julie Jackson said: ‘The team did an absolutely brilliant job, under quite a lot of pressure.

‘The competition was incredibly intense, but despite that they worked well as a team on the challenges they were given.

‘As a school we are really proud of them.’

Portsmouth Grammar School will now advance to the national finals, which will be taking place in London on Monday, June 19.