Harlow College students win The Funkies category in the MEI FE Maths Challenge

Harlow College hosted the South East Regional Finals of the 2025 MEI FE Maths Challenge, where top performing maths students from across the region competed for the title of Regional Champions.

The MEI FE Maths Challenge, run by Mathematics Education Innovation (MEI), is a dynamic competition designed for post-16 students aiming to improve their GCSE maths grades or earn a Functional Skills maths qualification. Now in its fourth year, the challenge has engaged over 40,000 students from more than 80 colleges across England and Wales, inspiring confidence and enthusiasm for maths.

At Harlow College, students competed in three categories based on their highest GCSE grade:

The Funkies - Winners Harlow College

Ein2steins - Winners Suffolk New College

Go Forth - Winners South Essex College

Harlow College Principal, Karen Spencer, herself a mathematics champion and maths teacher, officially opened the event, emphasising the real-world impact of maths and its link to higher earning potential.

The competition featured brain-teasing challenges, including a Tarsia Puzzle and an interactive Kahoot quiz. After intense head-to-head rounds, the winning teams from each category were announced, securing their title as Regional Champions.

The winners were awarded their prizes by Adam Sibley, Partnership Account Manager at Jewson and Steve Ward, Operations Director at HTS Group, who, along with George Hammond, Commercial Manager of Food For Now, represented the event’s generous sponsors.

David Morrissey, Managing Director at HTS Group, said: “At HTS, we are committed to supporting our community, and our partnership with Harlow College is something we value greatly.

“Both HTS and Jewson understand the vital role maths plays - not just in education but in everyday life and future careers. By supporting this event, we are helping young learners from regional FE colleges take part in an exciting challenge that encourages engagement with maths in a fun and inspiring way.”

George Hammond, Food For Now Commercial Manager, said: “I am delighted to be supporting the MEI Further Education Maths Challenge Regional Final with a hospitality offering from Samworth Brothers Food for Now. This event plays a vital role in helping students who have yet to attain a grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics, providing them with an opportunity to build confidence and develop their skills.

“On a personal level, this initiative is particularly meaningful to me, as I previously worked in education, supporting young students with their Maths and English skills. I understand the challenges they face and the impact that encouragement and support can have on their learning journey.”

Rachel Fulcher, Account Manager Associate at AQA, said: “It was wonderful to see the teams working so well together with such positive energy and enthusiasm. It was a truly inspiring day, and I look forward to seeing how the challenge grows in the future.”

Event organiser Mark Bellworthy, Assistant Academy Manager at Harlow College, added: “We were so proud to be hosting the event at Harlow College. The representatives from all seven colleges were fantastic and there was a real buzz from start to finish. The students should be really proud of themselves for qualifying for the Regional Final and it was great that the three categories were won by three different colleges in some exciting finals.

“The feedback from the event has been great and we hope that it has given the students confidence and motivation to do well in their GCSE Maths exams in Summer 2025.”

Students and staff from colleges across the region competed in this year's Regional Final at Harlow College