Nelson pupils take 1st and 2nd in national times tables contest beating more than 370,000 competitors
Two pupils from a Nelson primary school have achieved a remarkable national result after finishing first and second in a times tables competition involving more than 370,000 children across England.
Lomeshaye Junior School learners Abdul-Rehman and Muhammed Akhil, who are in the same class, topped the leaderboard in Times Tables Rockstars’ annual England Rocks challenge.
The three-day competition saw pupils answer as many multiplication questions as possible while playing for one hour each day.
Abdul-Rehman claimed first place with an astonishing 29,161 correct answers in just three hours.
His score means he averaged almost three correct answers every second, showcasing exceptional speed and concentration.
He said he was “extremely proud” of his achievement and explained he had been practising for four years, ever since joining the school in Year 3.
Runner-up Muhammed Akhil said the pair had pushed each other to improve throughout the competition.
“The friendly rivalry between us has made us faster and faster!” he said.
Their combined effort helped their class secure 13th place nationwide, while another classmate, Inaya, finished 11th overall.
Maths Lead and Deputy Headteacher Mr Heseldon praised all the pupils who took part.
"Our whole school is incredibly proud—not only of the boys’ achievements but also of Inaya, who finished 11th overal, and all our learners who took part and helped Lomeshaye achieve 6th place overall out of all the schools in England that took part,” he said.
“A big thank-you to families too, who encouraged their children to practise at home. It shows the love of maths that staff and learners foster every day at our school."
Headteacher Mrs Spokes said the school’s ethos plays a key role in its success.
“We set ambitious expectations for every learner,” she said.
“Each day, we remove barriers and create opportunities so our school community can thrive.
“I am grateful for my committed team of colleagues and proud of the children and community we serve.”