On 23 and 28 April, the 2025 Norfolk Maths Challenge took place in a bustling Daynes Sports Centre. Below, participants tell us more about their experiences of the event...

What is the Norfolk Maths Challenge?  

The Norfolk Maths Challenge is a tournament held every year  Norwich School, and schools all over Norfolk can enter 2 pairs (each with 2 pupils) to try and complete as many maths questions as they can in 1 hour. I was entered with my friend Izu. As we walked up to the Sports Hall, we were discussing things from the previous year that we were entered, considering our tactics and thoughts. 

 What were the categories?  

Once we got started, we were welcomed by the teachers and the hosts. They briefly discussed the different categories the pairs would do. The first challenge was called Tangrams, where you have seven shapes including a square, two large triangles, two smaller triangles etc. With the shapes, you were given 6 shadow images of 2D images made with the shapes. My friend Izu and I completed the first 5 in the given time, which was very good. After that, the next challenge was code breaking. Before it started, we were told that to make it even, you had to run with your question sheet to the back of the Sports Hall and then run to the front to give it to our markers so it was equal, instead of people at the back having to run 2 times as much as the people at the front. For the next part, we had to complete small equations, then look at the key and find the letter. Once we had completed that, there was a series of bonus questions that we had to complete. Next, we had a small break to have a drink and a cookie, which was given by the caters, which I’m very thankful for because I was tired after running. For the final challenge, we were given information, and a table where we had to find out which child did what. We competed all of the questions, so our markers told us to go back and do questions we missed out earlier. Once we had completed everything, the competition had finished. Whilst we were waiting for the points to be counted up, we did some mind tricks with one of the teachers, which fascinated me very much. As they were announcing the winners, we were called up for 2nd place, which was incredible! We were presented with a shiny medal, and later we got a certificate and a badge we could put on our blazer. 

Overview of the day  

Overall, we had a great day. It has inspired me to do more maths! I would like to thank the teachers for choosing Izu and I, and for helping organise the questions, so thanks. 

Greta (Year 5)

Highlights and surprises from our Year 7 and 8 helpers: 

• "My highlight was meeting all the children and getting to know some of them also I was surprised at the fact that everyone there was really kind to each other and did not argue or disagree with anything."

• "I enjoyed remembering when I did it in Y5 and it surprised me how many people got the questions right! "

• "I really enjoyed the experience particularly seeing how happy the younger students were."