School leads exciting new maths initiative

The aim of the day was to take part in a Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass: spearheaded by Bury and among the first of its kind to be held in a West Sussex primary school.

Presented by the Royal Institution (Ri) - an independent charity that promotes the wonders and applications of science and maths - the class held more than twenty children spellbound for two hours.

Among them was Daphne Fieldhouse from Fittleworth Primary, who said: “We’ve experimented with all sorts of different shapes and we’ve even made the Houses of Parliament. We’ve learnt a lot about shapes and geometry.”

Joining Daphne and her counterparts from Bury were Year 5 and 6 pupils from Coldwaltham, Northchapel, Graffham and Petworth primaries: all of whom gave a universal thumbs up to their morning of maths.

“The Ri Masterclass programme aims to open young people’s eyes to the excitement, beauty and real-world value of mathematics,” says Zoe Griffiths, Primary Mathematics Masterclasses Coordinator for the Ri.

“They are designed to stretch the most able without necessarily teaching the students new mathematical skills, but giving them the opportunity to use their existing skills in challenging and unfamiliar contexts.”

Edmund, William and Adam are pictured from left to right taking part in a Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclass at ​their school - ​Bury Primary.

Report and picture contributed by Katie Hughes Press.