A regional maths challenge hosted in Stevenage has been hailed as a success after 16 teams from schools across Herts got their thinking caps on.

The Comet: Barnwell School, Teachers, Paul Barnett and Grant StevensonBarnwell School, Teachers, Paul Barnett and Grant Stevenson (Image: Archant)

Barnwell School provided the venue for a competition which saw more than 60 Year 8 pupils take part in a series of maths-based challenges.

The event was backed by Herts for Learning – a not-for-profit company which provides school improvement services – and will be followed up with a national competition.

The Comet: Princess Helena CollegePrincess Helena College (Image: Archant)

Alongside a quartet of young mathematicians from Barnwell, students from Princess Helena College in Preston and The Priory School in Hitchin were among those who took part.

Afterwards, Barnwell deputy head Paul Barnett said: “It was a fantastic way of promoting analytical and mathematical thinking and it’s also about communication, team work and problem solving.

“It was an excellent event for the school to host and Grant Stevenson, our gifted and talented co-ordinator for maths, said that he was very pleased with the standard and the answers which students came up with.”