SCHOOL children have broken a world record with a celebrity maths marathon to remember.

Maths genius Johnny Ball hosted the Think of a Number 'World’s Largest Live Audience Maths Lesson' to 7,000 pupils at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground.

The Carmel Education Trust – comprising Carmel College, Darlington, St Michael’s Academy, Billingham, Holy Family RC Primary School and St Augustine’s RC Primary School, Darlington and St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School and St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, both in Stockton – sent 80 children from Years 5-8 to the event.

Headteacher of Holy Family RC Primary School, Chris Peacock, who took six Year 6 pupils to the event, said it was an experience the children would remember all of their lives.

He added: “It was a wonderful day conducted at breakneck pace and Johnny was on really good form.”

There was a huge demand for places and Mr Peacock said it was a privilege to attend.

“It proved to be a great event for a trust-wide trip and the children really bonded,” he said.

All 7,000 children experienced an interactive, hands-on, visual maths session with the fast-talking Mr Ball.

Student Thomas Miller, 11, said: “It was really fun. We sang the Think of a Number song and had to shout out numbers.”

Fenn Barrigan, ten, added: “Pascal’s triangle was quite complicated but I got there in the end.”

Elliot Nicholson, ten, said: “Achieving a world record feels like I have actually done something I will remember all my life.”

The event will now be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records placing Carmel Education Trust children in the annals of history.