Tag: arithmetic

Young mathematicians invited to celebrate Maths Week Scotland in landmark 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge

Free-to-enter global competition launches as new PISA results reignite focus on numeracy and attainment

Youngsters aged 4 to 14 are being invited to put their mathematical skills to the test as part of Maths Week Scotland 2026, with entries now open for the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge.

Organised by Glasgow-based educational technology provider British Youth International College (BYITC), the free-to-enter challenge will run during Maths Week Scotland from 21 to 27 September, giving young learners from around the world the opportunity to compete alongside their peers in a global celebration of mathematics.

The launch comes as the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results highlight the growing importance of raising attainment and engagement in mathematics. The international study, published this week, showed England improving its position in maths, reading and science, while Scotland and Wales recorded lower rankings, reinforcing calls across the education sector for continued investment and innovation to support numeracy and learning outcomes.

Since its launch, participation in the International Maths Olympiad Challenge has grown significantly, with numbers increasing by approximately 60 per cent since 2015 and thousands of students from more than 50 countries now taking part each year.

Notably, around 90 per cent of Olympiad winners to date have come from the UK, demonstrating the strong mathematical talent being developed across the country while also highlighting the opportunity for young people to benchmark their abilities against peers from around the world.

Dr Rashmi Mantri OBE, Founder and CEO of BYITC Supermaths, said: “Reaching the 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is a proud milestone for everyone involved with BYITC.

“The latest PISA results have once again sparked important discussions about educational standards and attainment. Opportunities that encourage children to engage positively with mathematics, build confidence and challenge themselves beyond the classroom have never been more important.

“Through the Olympiad, children can experience the excitement of competing on a global stage while strengthening logical thinking, problem-solving abilities and numeracy skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”

The competition has been designed to encourage children to challenge themselves, improve their speed and accuracy, and develop a positive relationship with mathematics. Open to all children aged 4 to 14, the Olympiad allows participants to test their abilities against age-appropriate challenges in a supportive and competitive environment.

A key feature of the competition is the technology that enables thousands of participants from different locations to take part in a common challenge. BYITC Supermaths has developed sophisticated digital infrastructure to support the online delivery of the Olympiad, including assessment, results processing and participant management at scale.

Dr Mantri added: “One of the most valuable aspects of the Olympiad is the opportunity for children to measure themselves against international peers.

“While UK participants have historically achieved remarkable success, winning around 90 per cent of awards over the years, the competition also exposes children to a truly global learning environment that broadens horizons and inspires ambition.

“Technology has played a vital role in the growth of the Olympiad over the past decade. It allows us to connect children from different countries, provide a seamless competition experience and celebrate mathematical achievement on a global scale.

“Most importantly, the Olympiad demonstrates that mathematics can be exciting, rewarding and accessible to every child.

“As we celebrate Maths Week Scotland, we are encouraging families, schools and young learners to get involved and experience the challenge for themselves.”

Participants will compete for a range of awards, with trophies and certificates presented to winners across the various categories.

The 10th International Maths Olympiad Challenge is free to enter and open to children aged 4 to 14 worldwide.

For more information and to register, visit: International-Maths-Olympiad – British Youth International College.

BYITC’s 7th International Maths Olympiad breaks records with unprecedented participation

13 winners, 11 levels, and one unique online contest for youngsters

The British Youth International College (BYITC) has named thirteen winners of its seventh annual International Maths Olympiad competition, including two children from Edinburgh.  

Tejas Mittal, aged 10, who attends Calderwood Primary School in Edinburgh was the joint level 10 winner.

He said: “Maths feels different now. I actually enjoy solving things, and I can see how much I’ve improved since I started Supermaths!

“The games are my favourite way to learn and practice maths. I wish we had this at school too!”

Tejas’ parents Mukesh and Neha Mittal said: “Seeing my child solve math problems with confidence is amazing! BYITC’s structured learning and supportive teachers have really helped in the Olympiad journey.”

Abel Abby, 10, attends St John Vianney RC Primary School in Edinburgh and was the joint level 11 winner.

He said: “What helped me most was learning how to think through a problem. BYITC taught me not to rush, but to solve things the smart way. The teachers are really kind and explain things until I get it!”

Mum Abby Jose said: “I’m so happy with the progress my child has made through the BYITC Olympiad. The questions really helped sharpen their thinking, and the support from teachers has been excellent!”

Of the thousands of students from all over the world who took part in the week-long free-to-enter challenge, which is aimed at students ranging from four to fourteen, the following were successful and received certificates and trophies: 

Winners (13):

  • Aanya Muppidi, 9, Leatherhead – level 1 winner
  • Anaisha Saxena, 6, Glasgow – level 2 winner
  • Saksham Kataria, 7, Birmingham – level 3 winner
  • Isaiah Tahir, 10, Glasgow – level 4 winner
  • Chinmaye Kanumuri, 8, Hemel Hempstead – level 5 winner
  • Aarav Shah, 12, Birmingham – level 6 winner
  • Kapishan Kadsan, 11, New Malden, London – level 7 winner 
  • Jithya Krithika Kotte, 12, Liverpool – level 8 winner
  • Krishna Nair, 9, Glasgow – level 9 winner
  • Pranav Aiyer, 10, Reading – joint level 10 winner 
  • Tejas Mittal, 10, Edinburgh – joint level 10 winner
  • Abel Abby, 10, Edinburgh – joint level 11 winner
  • Vivaan Rawat, 10, Glasgow – joint level 11 winner

The first-of-its-kind challenge is based on BYITC’s pioneering Abacus Maths programme, with 50 questions in total and results based on accuracy and timely completion. Students used concepts like finger, Abacus, and Mental theory.

The top performers across each of eleven levels of BYITC Supermaths training were awarded certificates and trophies for their impressive arithmetic skills.

BYITC’s Founder, Dr Rashmi Mantri, said: “Congratulations to each of the winners. Every child who took part deserves enormous credit as we can tell they gave it their best shot and worked very hard. 

“Young people are naturally competitive and derive lots of fun from playing and experimenting with numbers. Competitions like this prepare them for higher levels of assessments and exams as they go through their educational journey as they worked on time management and enhance their problem-solving skills.

“As we know from research, such high-level game playing significantly boosts logical thinking skills, an excellent preparation from a future which is going to be dominated by AI.

“Since we launched the Challenge, we have had more than 75 winners which is a great achievement. The success of our Olympiads and the sheer scale of entries from across the globe are very satisfying and give us confidence that there is a huge hunger out there for learning more about, and getting lots of fun from playing with, numbers.”

Glasgow-based BYITC is also now the UK’s largest provider of Abacus Maths classes and creator of the world’s first 100% digital, game-based abacus maths learning application.

Bake-Off winner Peter Sawkins leads National Numeracy Day event

Building brighter futures through confidence with numbers. That was the message today for children and young people from across the Capital as they celebrated National Numeracy Day.

The national scheme, run by charity National Numeracy, aims to promote confidence through numbers and how we use them in our everyday lives.

Here in Edinburgh at Piershill Library, Great British Bake-Off Winner, and National Numeracy Ambassador Peter Sawkins, led a reading group for local children.

A singing session then took place, led by library colleagues, before finishing with refreshments. 

The aim of the event was to show local children the variety of situations where maths and numeracy were important.

Also in attendance were Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Lezley Marion-Cameron and Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, alongside library colleagues, representatives from National Numeracy, Education Scotland, and the Scottish Book Trust.

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Val Walker said: “I was delighted to attend the event today at Piershill Library to celebrate National Numeracy Day. It was fantastic to hear from National Numeracy Ambassador Peter Sawkins and all the children who attended enjoyed it tremendously.

“I am proud that our libraries can host such diverse and fun events for our residents to enjoy.”