Students triumph in national mathematics and statistics competition

Four students have been crowned the first winners of a competition designed to spark increased enthusiasm in mathematics and statistics.

Teenagers from The Ecclesbourne School in Derbyshire won £2,500 after triumphing in WinAtSchool 2013, with St John’s Marlborough second and the Kendrick School in Berkshire third.

They were among hundreds of schools to take part in the competition, organised by the Royal Statistical Society Centre for Statistical Education (RSSCSE), based at Plymouth University, and sponsored by Winton Capital Management.

Professor Neville Davies, Director of the RSSCSE, said: “This has been a fantastic competition for all involved, showing there is a great level of mathematical talent in our secondary schools.

"Mathematics and statistics are vital components of a young person’s education, and we hope this competition has inspired and challenged the participants in equal measure.

"The grand final was closely fought, and we hope it has helped the students realise the potential of pursuing a career in these fields.”

WinAtSchool was open to Year 10 and 11 pupils, and aimed to present mathematics and statistics in a fun and exciting fashion, with questions being based on the Key Stage 4 curriculum.

Thousands of pupils from hundreds of schools took part, with the 12 best performing schools competing in the national finals, held at the Royal Statistical Society headquarters in London.

The finals were hosted by distinguished statistician and risk communicator, Professor David Spiegelhalter OBE, while Professor David Hand OBE, former President of the RSS and Chief Scientific Advisor to Winton Capital Management, presented the prizes.

Registration is already open for the 2013/14 WinAtSchool competition, and is open to all UK secondary schools.

Professor Davies added: “There has been great feedback from all the teachers involved in this year’s competition, which demonstrates they appreciate the positive effect it is already having on their students.

"We are looking forward to another great competition next year, with more schools vying for the top prize and students enhancing their own mathematical and statistical abilities.”

For more information about WinAtSchool, visit www.winatschool.org.uk.

The schools that took part in the national finals were: 

Bourne Grammar School, Lincolnshire; Kendrick School, Berkshire; The Costello School, Hampshire; St. John’s Marlborough, Wiltshire; Devonport High School for Boys, Devon; The King’s School, Gloucester; The Ecclesbourne School, Derbyshire; Kesteven & Grantham Girls’ School, Lincolnshire; Lady Manners School, Derbyshire; The Tiffin Girls’ School, Surrey; Bohunt School, Hampshire; Malmesbury School, Wiltshire