PENCILS and brains were sharpened as the Wellington School Maths Challenge once again attracted huge numbers of children.

Almost 200 pupils from 48 primary schools took part in the challenge and enjoyed the competitive spirit. The winner in this hotly contested competition was Stockland Primary School, whose team of four beat off all other contenders for the prize.

Now in its 24th year, this annual event is aimed at children aged ten or 11 from schools across Somerset and Devon. Schools are invited to enter a team of four pupils who work together to solve 25 questions in one hour. Their problem-solving skills are put to the test with a range of tasks based on principles from across mathematics.

Peter Buckingham, Head of Maths at Wellington School, said: “We were delighted to see so many enthusiastic and talented mathematicians working together and pitting their wits against each other. This event has grown over the 24 years we have been running it and it is always good to see new schools joining in.

“These young mathematicians have impressed us all with their enthusiasm. They have successfully solved problems by working together and sharing their methods”.

The winners took home books, puzzles and the satisfaction of having risen to the challenge.

Second place was Parkfield Primary School in Taunton and in third place was St John’s Primary School, Wellington.

This year, the challenge was written by Lydia, who attended the event as a student 11 years ago. After leaving Wellington School, Lydia has been studying at Merton College, Oxford, for the past three years gaining a first class honours degree in Mathematics.

Special prizes for the estimating task went to Bickleigh on Exe Primary School, St Andrew’s Primary School (Taunton), Offwell Primary School and Ruishton Primary School.