By Kate Kellner-Dilks, Head of Primary Curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment
Paul Jenkins, Head of Secondary Curriculum Services
Maths is often a solo activity. Pupils can get a huge sense of enjoyment and personal achievement out of the solitary pursuit of correct answers, but as teachers, we want them to be rounded, social individuals.
There should be more to maths than learning procedures and rehearsing calculations; great maths experiences are about curiosity and discovery, logic and creativity. When children are given opportunities to explore mathematical ideas in a playful, collaborative environment, they can develop resilience, social interaction skills and a deeper understanding of how maths connects to the world around them.
Whereas skills in sports or music are much more publicly celebrated, it can be a challenge to make maths more social and codependent, and to offer out-of-class opportunities for those students who excel in lessons, sharing that love with likeminded individuals. Many schools use maths challenges to tap into pupils’ individual brilliance, with purposeful opportunities to collaborate, listen to each other, spark off each other’s ideas and agree on solutions. It is a life skill to learn to value different perspectives and to work together towards a common outcome, and the love of maths can become so much more than only about numbers.
In every school there are pupils who light up when faced with a puzzle or problem to solve, and who find joy in both the orderly nature and unusual patterns of mathematics. The suite of HFL Education Maths Challenges bring these individuals together in teams and in a virtual room, full of buzzy, mathematical fun. The suite is designed to engage pupils and to have a shared sense of wonder and thrill at maths.
What is the HFL Education Maths Challenge, and how do you get involved?
The HFL Education Maths Challenge is a series of annual events for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5, and Years 7 and 8.
Schools enter teams of four pupils who work together to solve a series of engaging and thought-provoking problems. The heats are held online, allowing schools from across Hertfordshire to take part and build a local network linking schools across our county. Schools across the UK and from other countries are also invited to take part.
Feedback from recent participants includes:
Our favourite question was the pathways question because it was challenging, and we had to work as a team; which is what the maths challenge is all about.
The Orchard Primary School, Watford
The most enjoyable thing about the Year 4 maths challenge was working as a team and having fun!
Throckley Primary School, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Year 3 maths challenge was fun. We all love maths and want to be mathematicians when we are older.
St Michael’s CE VA Primary School, Bishop’s Stortford
Our team really enjoyed this new experience. Thank you for such a well organised event.
Mount Grace School, Potters Bar
The challenges encourage learners to take risks, think laterally, and celebrate the process of problem-solving, not just the final answer.
Each challenge includes a mix of reasoning, estimation, visualisation and contextual problems. These are designed to stretch thinking and encourage discussion, collaboration and strategic decision-making.
If your school hasn’t taken part before, we warmly invite you to join us. Free practice materials are available to help teams prepare, and schools can enter multiple teams to give more pupils the chance to take part.
Find out more about our Maths Challenge or
For Years 3, 4 and 5, contact the HFL Education Primary Maths Team: primarymaths@hfleducation.org
For Years 7 and 8, email melanie.chrisp@hfleducation.org.
