A STRATTON school shone a light on the fun side of maths with a competition today. (JUNE 29)

Kingsdown School, Hyde Road, hosted the cross phase math cluster problem solving morning complete with 40 pupils.

Children from Kingsdown School, Ruskin Junior School, South Marston Primary, Colebrook Infants, and Gorse Hill School battled it out in an Olympic themed challenge.

Pupils from year 2, year 3, year 6 along with year 7 mentors were set a series of five activities in the hopes of winning a medal.

The day saw pupils tackle conundrums such as the price of tickets and the number of different handshakes that could performed within a sports team.

The schools have formed the East Swindon maths cluster group which is designed to promote maths across the area,

Luke Maddison, head teacher at South Marston Primary said the day was all about bringing out the fun side of maths.

“We get together to do maths events and we want to raise the profile of maths among the children. We teach it in different ways so it doesn’t have to be scary.

“They are working out difficult conundrums today and seeing all the different possibilities. "Maths is all around us and it really isn’t all about mechanics. They are using their brains today and working as teams and the children have really enjoyed themselves

After a tense morning Ruskin Juniors scooped the gold medals and were champions of the day.

Oliver, 11, from South Marston Primary said he had enjoyed the maths morning.

“It was a very good experience. We got the chance to work and be a team and do activities together. It was fun.”