Maths students in Otley are celebrating being among the best in the country.

James Burgess and Luke Taylor King, both Year 11 pupils at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, have discovered they are in the top 3.5 per cent of 200,000 maths students in the UK.

The pair did so well in a United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Challenge they were given places in the Europe-wide Pink Kangaroo competition, which is only open to those who achieve exceptional results in the UK contest.

James and Luke received gold medals in the Mathematics Trust Challenge, as did fellow Prince Henry’s student Cailan McMurrough, who only narrowly missed out on a place in the Pink Kangaroo event.

Nine other Year 11 students, meanwhile, achieved silver medals and ten received bronze, while Sophie English, Rosie Clowes, Jessica Hemsley and Adam Turner took the Intermediate Challenge and received silver medals, despite only being in Year 9. Prince Henry’s maths faculty leader Andy Fishburn said: “These events give students a great opportunity to test their skills against students from across the UK and beyond, while enjoying the challenge of the competition.

“Most of the students in our team are from our Further Maths Club, which allows Year 11 students to really stretch themselves in preparation for A- levels. Further Maths opportunities and the UK Mathematics Trust challenges are just two of many activities offered at Prince Henry’s to extend the mathematics curriculum for students of all abilities and ages.

“The school also runs a SUMS Club, where sixth formers help younger students, and a Year 6 transition Maths Club.”