Accrington Academy’s students proved they were wizards with numbers when they took first place in a Harry Potter-themed maths challenge.

The event, held at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester, saw Year 7 students from across the United Learning group of schools competing in numerical challenges. Competitors were led into the school’s assembly hall which had been decorated in the style of the great hall from Hogwarts, before being split up into ‘houses’ and competing in challenges - herbology, defence against the dark arts and potions class - all with a mathematical twist.

Hogwarts Great Hall

The Academy team took first place and the house cup (and individual certificates), thanks to team members Dolcie Power, Harrison Heys, Halle Carnell, Chloe Whittle, Briony Day, Louise Heron, Dominic Pilkington, Abbie Kenyon, Jessica Kellet, Joanna Wooten, Asad Haq and Farhan Ahmed.

Principal Andy O’Brien said: “The themed challenge at William Hulme’s Grammar School was an excellent way of not only engaging students in maths, but also giving them the opportunity to integrate with other students from the United Learning group.”