Pupils at St Margaret’s School for Girls
in Aberdeen are gearing up to showcase their numerical skills in a series of upcoming mathematics competitions following a highly successful run last term.
S1 to S4 pupils will put their problem-solving skills to the test when they participate in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust Junior and Intermediate challenges and will tackle a variety of mathematical activities at the UKMT team challenge. They are also participating in the Scottish Mathematical Challenge.
A recent report published by The Commission on School Reform revealed that only 40.1% of fourth year pupils across Scotland passed National 5 mathematics in 2024.
Whilst the pass rate for mathematics at this level has been declining nationally in recent years, uptake and success by girls in mathematics has been particularly strong at St Margaret’s, with all S4 pupils sitting a National 5 mathematics course and achieving a 100% pass rate (A-C) in August 2024.
Fifth and sixth year pupils similarly impressed with a Higher mathematics pass rate of 96% and Advanced Higher pass rate of 100%. St Margaret’s offers three different Advanced Higher maths courses and 72% of current sixth year pupils have chosen to study at least one mathematics course this year.
Last term, senior student, Hana Park, was named Best in Scotland at the prestigious Mathematical Olympiad for Girls competition - an initiative organised by the UK Maths Trust to challenge and inspire young women in mathematics. Hana successfully solved five complex problems to achieve this accolade and secured a qualifying place in the British Maths Olympiad.
Not to be outdone, a team of sixth year students were also crowned winners of TechFest’s prestigious STEM in the Pipeline Competition in December 2024. This enabled them to showcase their mathematical abilities in a real-life context.
Head of Mathematics, Alexandra Bryce, said: “Whilst recent reports highlight a worrying drop in pass rates for maths at National 5 level nationally, I’m delighted that at St Margaret’s we are continuing to see exceptional results in all levels.
"We believe that it is very important to challenge all learners and our classes are looking forward to putting their skills to the test in the upcoming competitions.
"For them, these competitions are not just about winning - they’re an opportunity to stretch themselves, to apply what they've learned, and to collaborate with their peers. We look forward to supporting their endeavours.”