This year, we had eighteen mathematicians take part in the Primary Maths Challenge competition. Organised by the Mathematical Association, the national competition aims to encourage enthusiasm, boost  confidence in mathematics and show the different way questions can be asked. The twenty-five questions are designed to make pupils think outside the box and emphasises the importance of problem solving as a means of helping pupils to develop their reasoning skills.

At North Lakes we teach a mastery approach in mathematics and all lessons involve reasoning and problems solving. Children are supported with a variety of models to help expose mathematical structures to embedding a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. This competition was a chance for mathematicians to showcase their skills, resilience and resourceful thinking.

Congratulations to all who took part: eleven Bronze, six Silvers and a Gold certificate achieved by Mario - Well done!

During November mathematicians throughout the school took part in Barvember, completing a series of maths challenges to solve problems. Barvember is organised by White Rose Maths to encourage everyone to use the bar model. We know that the Bar Model is a useful tool for helping children visualise and then solve maths problems. Bassenthwaite and Buttermere mathematicians we delighted to be selected as winners of the day with White Rose Maths retweeting some of our successes. We received a maths mascot and bar tool kit which we raffled off.

Congratulations to Devan who is now the proud owner of a bar model stationery kit.