Monday 8 May 2017 A talented young mathematician from The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) will be furthering her maths knowledge this summer among the dreaming spires of Oxford. Jenni Greenfield, Year 11, has been invited to attend the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Summer School for Girls at Balliol College, Oxford, in recognition of her outstanding performance in one of the UKMT’s popular maths challenges for students in school years 7 to 13. The challenges are aimed at three different age groups attracting over 600,000 entries annually from over 4,000 schools and colleges. Jenni sat the UKMT’s Intermediate Challenge for pupils in Year 11 or below and her score placed her in the top 1.5% of all entrants, earning her a gold certificate and an invitation to the summer school. The summer schools are designed for keen young mathematicians to extend their knowledge by taking part in stimulating sessions led by UKMT volunteers, whilst enjoying a taste of university life with students from all over the country who share their enthusiasm for maths. Jenni, who hopes to study maths at university after her A-levels, said: “The invitation to the summer school was unexpected and it’s nice to be recognised. It will be a useful taster into further maths and good preparation for A-levels and I’m looking forward to meeting people with similar interests. “I’m looking towards applying for Oxbridge so it will be a great experience to have the chance to stay at one of the colleges for a week.” As well as Jenni, many other GSAL students enjoyed success in the Intermediate Challenge this year. 83% of GSAL’s entrants scored highly enough to achieve a certificate (an increase on 72% last year) compared with 40% nationally. The top 5,500 across the country are invited to sit the follow-on paper, the European Kangaroo, and 15 GSAL students took part, in Years 9, 10 and 11. Jenni and Year 9 student Jamie Smallbone achieved merit (awarded to the top 25%). An even more select group of Intermediate Challenge entrants, just the top 500 nationwide, are invited to sit the follow-on Mathematical Olympiad. Jake Masters, Year 9, sat the Cayley Olympiad and achieved a merit. General Senior School News
