Two Wyke maths students, Joseph Foxon and Joseph Sadler, have set up a lunchtime maths master class to pass on their expertise to other Wyke maths students. Both students, who are in their second year studying Maths, Further Maths and Physics A levels, have had experience in the Senior Maths Challenge competitions which run nationally. The competitions, run by The UK Mathematics Trust and the Further Mathematics Support Programme, are for students in years 11, 12 and 13, testing mathematical, communication and teamwork skills.

Joe Foxon was part of the team which won the regional final of the Senior Maths Team Challenge in 2010 and took part in the national final in London. The Wyke team came second in the 2011 regional competition. The 1000 top performing students in the competition for individuals are invited to take part in follow on rounds and the very best can represent their country in the International Mathematical Olympiad. Joe Sadler was in this elite group.

He says, ‘It’s all about working out strategies of how to access the information, learning techniques which allow you to approach the question in the right way. Sally White, Head of Maths, encouraged us to set up the master classes due to our own success in the competitions. We hope that by mentoring other Wyke maths students, they can benefit from our experiences and continue to achieve great success.’

Sally White adds, ‘I’m very impressed with both Joes, they have taken the initiative themselves to organise and run the master classes, developing the problem solving and team working skills of our AS students and putting us in a strong position for the next events in the autumn term.’