Thirty-six QE sixth-formers qualified for the next stages of a national Mathematics competition – twice as many as in 2016 – while the School comfortably out-performed the national average.
Eleven pupils taking part in the Senior Mathematical Challenge qualified for the élite British Mathematical Olympiad – up from eight last year – and 25 reached the other follow-on round, the Senior Kangaroo, representing a 150% increase on 2016’s total of ten.
The Best-in-School title went to Year 12 boy Robert Sarkar (right in photograph), who scored 121 out of a possible 125 marks. Andrew Shamis (left in photograph), top scorer in Year 13, was just behind, on 120.
Of the 123 pupils who entered the competition, 33 were awarded gold certificates (22 in 2016), 53 received silver (39) and 30 (42) won bronze. The certificates are given only to the top 60% of entrants nationally, but at QE the proportion gaining them was 94%. They are awarded gold, silver and bronze in the ratio of 1:2 :3.
Congratulating the successful entrants, Assistant Head of Mathematics Wendy Fung said: “Many of the boys who have qualified through to the follow-on rounds have been members of our Élite Maths mentoring scheme for a number of years and are now passing on their experience and wisdom through mentoring students in Years 9 to 11.”
The competition, run by the UK Mathematics Trust, involves answering 25 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes. To qualify for the Olympiad, candidates must score at least 104 points and for the Kangaroo, they must score at least 85.