Students Put Their Maths Skills to the Test at Regional FE Maths Challenge Final 

Students from colleges across the region came together at the Grimsby Institute for the MEI Further Education (FE) Maths Challenge East & East Midlands Regional Final, a competition designed to boost confidence and achievement in mathematics for post-16 students. 

The FE Maths Challenge is open to students working towards a Functional Skills Mathematics qualification or those resitting GCSE Mathematics. The competition originated from MEI’s work with the Stoke-on-Trent Mathematics Excellence Partnership, where it proved highly successful in improving student confidence, engagement and motivation in maths. 

Due to its impact, the challenge has expanded nationally. This year the competition involved 10 regional centres, 124 colleges and more than 58,500 students taking part across England and Wales. 

This year, the Grimsby Institute has worked in partnership with MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) to deliver the FE Maths Challenge in the East & East Midlands area, enabling local colleges to enter students free of charge. 

The competition is open to students aged 16-19 who have not yet achieved a grade 4 or above in GCSE Mathematics and are studying at a participating college, school or training provider. Students compete in three categories based on their current highest GCSE grade: 

• The Funkies – for students with a highest grade of 1 

• Ein2steins – for students with a highest grade of 2 

• Go Forth – for students with a highest grade of 3 

The regional final saw teams competing in a series of problem-solving and numeracy challenges, testing both their mathematical ability and teamwork skills. 

Congratulations to everyone that took part and to the winning teams: 
The Funkies – Bishop Burton College 

Ein2steins – Nottingham College 

Go Forth – Nottingham College 

Donna Underwood, Head of English & Maths at the Grimsby Institute, said: 

“We were delighted to host the MEI FE Maths Challenge Regional Final here at the Grimsby Institute. It has been fantastic to see students from across the region come together to test their problem-solving skills, build confidence in maths, and enjoy working collaboratively. Competitions like this are a great way to show that mathematics can be engaging, rewarding and an important skill for students’ future studies and careers.” 

On why competitions like this are important for college students, Martin Newton, project Manager for the MEI Further Education Maths Challenge, said; 

“I think there’s something special about this, and it’s a competition in many ways that shouldn’t work. 
Because normally maths competitions are for the highest attained students, and often in the top sets at schools. This competition flips it completely on its head, so the lower prior attaining, i.e. those that haven’t yet got a grade for GCSE take part,
so they’re doing GCSE resits or functional skills maths. And it just seems to work for them.” 

Liam, a student from the Grimsby Institute, said: 
“The event was a good way to improve our confidence and maths skills, I really enjoyed it today and would recommend others to take part next year.” 

Speaking after the event, organisers praised the determination and enthusiasm shown by all participants, highlighting the competition’s role in raising aspirations and demonstrating that maths can be engaging, accessible and rewarding. 

The FE Maths Challenge continues to play a key role in supporting students to build confidence, improve attainment and develop essential skills for further study and employment.