MATHEMATICAL whizzkids at Newport Free Grammar School have celebrated a “remarkable” achievement.

Saffron Walden Reporter: From left, Daniel Shefford, Natalie Wood and Matt Granger.From left, Daniel Shefford, Natalie Wood and Matt Granger. (Image: Archant)

Students in Years 10 and 11 placed in the top two per cent of a national maths challenge – a competition run every year by the UK Mathematics Trust.

Bryony Coombs, Florence Garnham, Matthew Granger, Oliver Kaye and Natalie Wood from Year 11 and Daniel Shefford from Year 10 were given gold award certificates after entering the Intermediate Challenge.

A number of other students won Silver and Bronze awards, including 17 from Year 10.

A very high score in the challenge wins an entry into the European Kangaroo Competition, an opportunity to take on the most talented students from countries across Europe. Matthew Granger won a place in the ‘Pink Kangaroo’.

For even higher scores – the top 500 from more than a million students in the year group nationally – the next step is the Mathematical Olympiad. Natalie Wood qualified, with a score well above the required mark.