TALENTED mathematicians from Avonbourne and Harewood colleges added up their combined mental skills to score highly in a national competition.

More than 30 students from the Bournemouth schools came away with a clutch of gold, silver and bronze awards in the UK Maths Challenge.

And one Harewood College student, Leon Wright, qualified with such a high score that he is now officially in the top 500 Year 9 students in the whole country.

Leon scored gold in the intermediate round and was one of just 2,000 students in the UK to go on to qualify for the next round, called the ‘grey kangaroo.’

In this even higher level challenge Leon achieved a merit, which puts him in the top 25 per cent of all entrants.

Executive head teacher of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: "We are incredibly proud of all our boys and girls who entered the UK Maths Challenge.

"This is national competition of a very high level and to come away with a bronze, silver or gold shows excellent mathematical skills.

"So for Leon to not only achieve gold in this competition but to also succeed in the next level up shows exceptional skills in someone so young.”

The UK Maths Challenge is aimed at able, gifted and talented maths students in years 9, 10 and 11.

In the challenge, competitors needed to answer 25 tough mathematical questions, which all required problem solving skills, in just an hour – and in exam conditions.

Only the highest scoring students were awarded bronze, silver and gold certificates.

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 are now preparing to compete in the junior version of the same competition.