EVERYTHING added up to success for four mathematical students after they were named one of the top three school teams in the region in a UK-wide competition.

Pupils from Darlington School of Mathematics and Science finished second runners-up, after taking on 29 schools and colleges across Darlington, Durham, Tyneside and Northumberland, in the UK Maths Team Challenge.

Year 9 students Andrew Nicoll, 13, Heather McKim, 14 and year 8 pupils Michael Plumb, 13 and Joshua Jackson, 13, each performed four rounds of demanding mental tasks and mathematical skill challenges at the regional heats held at Durham Johnston School.

DSMS maths teacher Tom Holmes said: “This is the second year that our school has entered a team into the UK Maths Challenge and we are incredibly proud of our students’ success.

“It is an amazing achievement for DSMS to be the best school in Darlington, of those that entered the competition, as well as beating other high achieving schools such as Durham High School and Durham School.

“I think our students were slightly stunned that they did so well but it was well deserved success after they put in so much hard work.”

Run by the UK Mathematics Trust, the competition aims to promote mathematical dexterity, team working, and communication skills and give pupils the opportunity to compete against students from other schools in their region.

The four pupils spent four months training for the competition with help from Mr Holmes and maths teacher Jenny Taylorson.