FACING THE CHALLENGE: The Elizabeth College maths team of, left to right, Christopher Galpin and Jack Heywood, both 14, and Sam Smith and Jonathan Spicer, both 13.

A TEAM of mathematicians from Elizabeth College will take part in the national finals of the UK Maths Trust Team Challenge on Monday.
The challenge team comprises Year 9 students Jack Heywood and Christopher Galpin and Year 8 pupils Jonathan Spicer and Sam Smith.
They have been working together preparing ideas for a maths poster in readiness for one of the challenges in the competition.
The boys will be accompanied to the finals by teachers Andy Hale and Karen Brent.
‘The boys are preparing themselves for some tough competition in the national finals but are looking forward to some challenging problems and a fun day out,’ said Mr Hale.
The BWCI Group has sponsored the team’s trip to London.
Partner Mark Colton said: ‘As a firm of actuaries and consultants, we are delighted to encourage young mathematicians because there are so many career opportunities which require numeracy and problem-solving skills.
‘The competition also requires the students to work together as a team, combining their individual strengths to solve problems in the most efficient way.’