Schools across Harrow battled it out to be the best young mathematical brains in the region.

The semi-finals of the National Young Mathematicians' Awards took place at the Explore Learning Centre in Harrow last Wednesday and Thursday.

For the first time ever, there were two elements of the competition – one aimed at primary schools and one at secondary schools.

A total of seven schools took part and Feeza, Tiffany, Piravin, Yanusan from Uxendon Manor Primary School were crowned champions.

Charlotte Gater, head of curriculum at Explore Learning, said: “This year’s competition was the biggest yet with over 1200 schools taking part so the regional winners have done incredibly well to be crowned their local champions. We saw an amazing array of maths skills on display where youngsters worked as a team, excelled in logical thinking and, most importantly, had fun while learning. A massive well done to all those who took part.”

The 10 teams who have made it to the Grand Final at the University of Cambridge on January 9 will be revealed later in December.

Here they will compete in one last competition to be named the National Young Mathematicians of the Year by University Challenge competitor Bobby Seagull, who is Explore Learning’s National Young Mathematicians’ Awards Ambassador for 2018.

Mr Seagull said: “I’m really pleased to be the ambassador for this year’s National Young Mathematicians’ Awards. Maths is in my blood and I’m thrilled to be able to inspire the next generation who might one day study at the University of Cambridge themselves – and perhaps appear on University Challenge.

"Maths is such an integral part of our everyday lives and having competitions like this really encourages children to see the importance of it and excitement that it can bring. I can’t wait to celebrate the children’s success with them.”

Schools can enter for 2019 via www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngmathematicians.