A trilogy of wins as Crawley College takes part in MEI Maths regional competition 

It was a hat-trick of awards for a selection of maths students from the college, as they took part in the annual Mathematics Education Innovation (MEI) Maths Challenge South Regional Finals.  

They finished first in both the Ein2steins and Go Forths categories, as well as third in the Funkies category at the competition, marking an unprecedented set of results for the college.  

This means that the college will go on to represent the whole Southern region at the national finals, which are set to take place in Solihull later this year, in the categories they won.  

The yearly event is designed to improve the skills of GCSE Maths grade or to complete a Functional Skills maths qualification, as they seek to improve their grades.  

There was strong representation for the Chichester College Group, as budding maths wizzes from both Brighton MET College and Chichester College also attended the event.  

The categories for this year included:  

• The Funkies – for students whose highest maths achievement is GCSE grade 1 or Functional Skills Entry Level.  

• Ein2steins – for students whose highest GCSE maths grade is 2 or who are studying Functional Skills Level 1.  

• Go Forths – for students whose highest GCSE maths grade is 3 or who are completing Functional Skills Level 2.  

A selection of colleges from across the Southeast also attended on the day, including: Bexhill College, Havant and South Downs College, Hazelwick School, East Surrey College, Queen Mary’s College, and Folkstone College. 

Elijah Kigonya Sepembwa, one of the students who took part in the show, said:  

“Teamwork makes the dream work. The more people you meet, the more chances you have to work as a team. Some of my mates have gone into the final, and I’m very proud of them, and I hope they win as well.  

Jude Mortimer, Maths Education Support Specialist at MEI, added:  
“Huge thanks to the University of Sussex and Brighton Metropolitan College for hosting the MEI FE Maths Challenge South Regional Final. With nearly 60,000 students taking part nationally, including over 5,500 from the South, all finalists were already winners!  

“The event went brilliantly, featuring Tarsia puzzles, a delicious lunch, university tours and an exciting Kahoot finale. There was a great buzz in the room, with students cheering on their teammates and creating genuinely positive memories of maths.  

“Good luck to all the winners who will be going on to the inaugural National Final in Solihull in April.”  

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