A South Cumbrian maths whizz has secured a place at a prestigious summer school for his outstanding achievements.
Nathan Lee Cheong, who attends Chetwynde School in Barrow, will attend the UK Maths Trust’s 63rd National Mathematics Summer School in Leeds – the first pupil to do so in the school’s history.
The invitation comes after his excellent performance in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge and his subsequent merit in the trust’s latest Olympiad, which covers university-level maths skills.
Nathan, who is head boy at the school which is part of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, said he was looking forward to the five-day event in August where he will spend time with other maths enthusiasts and develop his thinking.
“It will be good to do before I start my A-levels because they will be focusing on more obscure maths challenges that I might not have come across before and is a great opportunity to learn more.”
This month Nathan has been awarded a merit in the UK Maths Trust Olympiad, which is usually for second year sixth formers. He is among the brightest 25 per cent of students nationally who are currently at sixth form, despite still being in year 11.
He had to answer six questions in two hours showing not only the answer but a full written method, a step up from the intermediate paper.
He said: “It was very difficult. Usually I don’t get nervous but I’d seen a past papers and I’d not been able to answer any of the questions so to get to a stage where I got a merit, I’m really pleased.”
Nathan, who is taking 10 GCSEs including further maths, said he had been supported by his teachers who had given him the confidence to successfully complete the Olympiad.
Head of mathematics Stefan Olphert said he had never seen a student performing at such a high level in 18 years of teaching.
He added: “I have to say he is remarkable and has impressed me throughout his academic career and the staff here are all very proud of what he has achieved, he’s a shining star.”
