<< Back to index Euro maths merit for AllanBy Guardian reporter IT HAS ALL added up for Caterham High School student Alan Jackson, awarded a certificate of merit in the European finals of the Pink Kangaroo Maths Challenge.
Alan, a 15-year-old student at the school in Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, was one of only two students from Redbridge competing against 1,000 young people from 25 European countries.
Caterham High head of maths, Firdi Merwanji, said: "I was quite optimistic that he would pass; he is one of the most able students at the school."
The UK heat of the competition at Leeds University in March attracted 190,000 students from 2,600 schools nationwide.
Students at Caterham High won two gold, three silver and ten bronze certificates � but Alan was the only pupil to win through to the European finals. Once there he had to sit a one-hour multiple choice examination with problem solving exercises.
Alan received his certificate of merit after finishing in the top 25 percent of the competition. Headteacher Dr Alan Atkins said:
"We at Caterham are very proud of this accolade for Alan and our maths department."
Next year the school plans to enter another 60 students in the competition, which attracted two million entries worldwide. For Alan, however, it is back to studying for his GCSEs.
Mr Merwanji said: "He's not one of those students who boast about their achievements. I think he was quite chuffed but he's quite shy. He's a very nice lad and has a very good attitude."
5:36pm Thursday 10th July 2003
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