This camp focuses on developing participants' problem solving skills in Maths and Programming. Mathematical problem solving is part of the 11+, GCSE and A level Maths exams and it’s 100% of what UKMT and Oxbridge questions are all about. However, the benefits of well developed mathematical problem solving skills go far beyond passing exams and are essential to all walks of life. In Programming, whether your child is already a confident programmer or just starting out, we will create the most appropriate small study group for them, based on their age and experience.

Our pupil to teacher ratio is six to one and children study in small groups based on a combination of their age and experience in the subject. Each group is taught in their own separate classroom to maximise the learning opportunity and children regularly change classroom, teacher and subject during the day.

In Maths we will focus on problem solving which means doing non-routine, challenging mathematical tasks that require essential concepts and methods to be applied in a variety of contexts. Practicing problem solving develops pupils’ ability to explore, to reason and to communicate their findings, along with mastering technical skills as a useful by-product of the process.  Pupils will also learn how to check their work for errors.

By year groups, participants will study:

Years 3-6 

Pupils will solve problems from Primary and Junior Maths Challenges and from the Kangaroo Competitions involving arithmetic, geometry and combinatorics. They will explore various approaches for solving challenging problems.

Years 7-8 

Problems from the Junior Maths Challenges and from the Kangaroo Competitions mainly about the perimeter and areas of different shapes, about the clock, and tables involving geometry, combinatorics and algebra. Pupils will learn the importance of writing down their ideas step by step to reveal the logical structure behind their solutions.

Years 9-10 

Problems from the Junior Mathematical Olympiads and from the Intermediate Maths Challenges, Kangaroo and American Maths Challenge about sequences from introductory questions to advanced tasks. Pupils will learn how to handle periodic sequences, recursions and arithmetic sequences. They will also use Algebra creatively to answer questions. Pupils will encounter questions about angles, where the intelligent application of Algebra is needed and they will tackle questions about the fundamentals of combinatorics involving Sets. Pupils will have to write down their ideas step by step to reveal the logical structure behind their solutions.

Years 11-12 

Problems from British Mathematical Olympiads. Pupils will gain experience of communicating their ideas, challenging each other’s thoughts and ideas, getting closer to particular solutions, variations and generalisations together.