"MATHS can be practical and fun" was the lesson when 20 "gifted
and talented" children from the final year at six primary schools
around Warminster were invited to the Minster Church of St Denys
for an afternoon of measuring and problem-solving.
They measured everything, including the church, and then drew a
plan of it. They also had a maths quiz, compiled from questions
submitted by each of the schools.
The event had been organised by a maths leader, Becky Ewings,
and a governor, Tim Spinney, from the Minster C of E School. The
chairman of the Salisbury diocesan board of
education, Canon Harold Stephens, came to watch, as did a maths
teacher from the secondary school which most of the children taking
part were likely to go to. She said that it was a good opportunity
for the children to meet those with whom they might be sharing a
class in September.
At the end of the afternoon, the children were all presented
with a certificate.
The Minster now has plans to run a similar event - not for the
brightest at maths, but for those children who find the subject a
struggle.