PUPILS from schools across Weymouth and Portland took on a marathon mathematics challenge.

Teams representing 14 schools in the borough took part in the 14th Budmouth College Primary Maths Challenge.

The teams of Year 6 students came from the different schools that feed into Budmouth College.

Many of those on the maths day will be attending the college next academic year.

They had to complete seven different challenges based around maths and logic which ranged from making paper aeroplanes designed for distance or length of flight, counting mathematical shapes in a spinnaker, deciphering patterns against the clock and creating 3D models from plans.

Subject leader for mathematics at the college Amy Harris said it had been a fantastic day.

She said: “It was designed to try and inspire children with fun maths at a very high level.

“It was very challenging for them.

“They are very bright students and very able.

“They had to complete the seven challenges including building paper aeroplanes and various activities involving speed, distance and shape.”

She added: “It was about trying to get them to work as a team and give them an enjoyable morning of maths and really challenge them.”

The annual event has been running since 1997 but this year students were able to use the newly-completed Hub building for the morning.

Students made use of the open plan Avenue area in the centre of the new school to launch their paper planes.

The Chickerell Primary School team were the overall winners with St Andrew’s Primary School coming second and Holy Trinity Primary finishing third.

Mrs Harris said the students had a very enjoyable day.

She said: “I was impressed by the enthusiasm and ability of the visiting Year 6 students. “Their use of logic and also their ability to work together in teams was exemplary. “It was great to see maths brought to life and the excitement of the students was tangible.”