Maths Challenges

Wrekin College has been hosting an annual Maths Challenge event for Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils for a number of years. We hold one each term; Year 6 traditionally in September each year, Year 5 in February/March and Year 4 in May/June. We use DCBeagle to run the Challenges for us, and teams of four pupils from a variety of state and independent schools attend. We usually have approximately 30-40 schools in attendance for our Year 5 and 6 challenges, and 20 for our Year 4 challenge which we hold at Old Hall School, part of the Wrekin Old Hall Trust. The events are entirely free to enter and include gifts including badge, certificate and pencil for all attendees, additional prizes for the top three teams, all equipment necessary to take part in the Challenge, and both adult and child refreshments after the event. Wrekin pupils traditionally act as markers for the event.

Aims

·      Fostering a love of maths.

·      Providing a fun, but educational maths-based experience.

·      Giving schools access to a free, large-scale event where they can compete with other schools in a friendly, academic competition.

Background

Wrekin College has been hosting an annual Maths Challenge event for Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils for a number of years. The Year 5 and 6 challenges have been running for over 10 years (as at 2023) and the Year 4 challenge for approximately five years.

Resources

Facilities:

The Year 5 and 6 Challenges are held in one Sports Hall, with the Year 4 challenge held at Old Hall School.

 

Staffing commitment:

·      prepare resources prior to event

·      organise room layout

·      supervise event and Wrekin College markers

write and enforce Risk Assessment

·      organise and provide catering including providing for special dietary requirements

·      attend the event, assist with marking and present prizes

·      post-event cleaning

 

Financial:

·      hiring DCBeagle to conduct the challenge, including covering travel, accommodation and food expenses and providing lunch while on site.

·      Catering costs including food and labour

·      Staffing costs

·      All resources including enamel badge, certificate, pencil for all participants, free wifi for staff, plastic folders etc

Pupil Involvement

·      15-25 pupil markers for approximately two hours depending on the size of the Challenge.

Frequency

Termly