A team of nine young mathematicians from Beechwood Park School participated in the recent annual Prep Schools Mathematics Competition at Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood. They beat 13 other local preparatory schools to win the trophy.


“We are very proud indeed of our mathematicians’ achievement,” commented Beechwood Park’s headmaster, Patrick Atkinson, “especially as this is the first time we took part in the competition which has been organised for 21 years.”


Oliver Bullock, head of mathematics at the day and weekly boarding co-educational prep school, which is located in Markyate, near St Albans, said: “The event started with a maths trail around the school, following clues, making estimates and answering mathematical questions along the way. The next round was a series of problem-solving exercises in which all the team members applied themselves very well.


“The best pupil from each school went into the final inter-school competition round and our team unanimously put forward Thomas Hillman”, he added.


Not only did Thomas lead the team to victory, but through the final round he gained 100% - a first according to one of the adjudicators.