Year 4 pupils at Petteril Bank School are celebrating after receiving some remarkable maths results. Twenty 8 and 9-year-old pupils from the school, which is part of Cumbria Education Trust, averaged an impressive 24.8 out of 25 on the government’s Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check (MTC). This outstanding performance is around 5 marks above last year’s national average and is likely one of the highest scores for a state school in the country – making them amongst some of the top ranking mathematicians!

The MTC was introduced by the Government in 2022 to help schools assess whether pupils can fluently recall their times tables, a crucial skill for future success in mathematics. Students are required to answer 25 times tables questions consecutively within a strict time limit.

Jemma Nicholson, Headteacher at Petteril Bank School, commented, “From the practice tests students took, we knew the results were going to be good, but not quite as exceptional as they turned out to be. For a combined group of students to score over 99% is a phenomenal effort. It is down to daily practice with Mrs Marsh, our Year 4 teacher, who has inspired the pupils to want to do well. It is great that these students are now fully prepared for the next stages of their maths education.”

This achievement highlights the dedication and hard work of both the students and staff at Petteril Bank School. The school continues to strive for excellence, ensuring that their pupils are well-equipped with the essential skills for their educational journey.

Congratulations to all the children involved – you should be so proud of yourselves being amongst the top ranking mathematicians in the country!