Is your child passionate about mathematics? Do they light up when faced with a tricky puzzle or spend hours figuring out problems that stump their peers? If so, the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) has a wealth of opportunities designed to nurture that enthusiasm. But as a parent, you might have questions: How do competitions work? What should my child expect? How can I support them without adding pressure? This handbook answers every question you might have — and a few you hadn't thought of yet.
Supporting a young mathematician: a partnership between parents, teachers, and the UKMT community
Getting Started: How Does My Child Take Part?
The first thing every parent should know is that UKMT competitions are entered through schools, not directly by families. Here is how the process works:
Your child's school must be a registered UKMT centre. Most UK schools already are. If yours is not, the maths department can register at ukmt.org.uk.
The school purchases entry packs. These cost between £10 and £16 per pack of 10 students, depending on the competition.
Your child sits the competition at school. All UKMT competitions are now paper-format only — no computers or tablets required.
Results are sent to the school. Certificates follow shortly after, and the school will communicate your child's scores and any follow-on round invitations.
Step one: your child's school registers with UKMT and enters them into the competitions
What If My Child Is Home-Educated?
Yes — home-educated children can absolutely take part in UKMT competitions. Young people educated at home may participate through any school that is a registered UKMT centre, at the discretion of the school. Parents or carers should contact a nearby school directly to make arrangements. While the school is not obliged to host your child, many are happy to do so.
💡 Tip: If you are struggling to find a local school willing to host your home-educated child, consider reaching out to home-education networks in your area. Other parents may already have arrangements in place.
Understanding the Competitions: A Parent's Cheat Sheet
With so many competitions, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are relevant for your child. Here is a simplified guide:
| Competition | Age Group | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Kangaroo | Ages 9–11 | 20 MCQs | 45 min |
| Junior Mathematical Challenge | Year 8 & below | 25 MCQs | 60 min |
| Intermediate Mathematical Challenge | Year 11 & below | 25 MCQs | 60 min |
| Senior Mathematical Challenge | Year 13 & below | 22 MCQs + 3 new-format | 90 min |
| British Mathematical Olympiad | Invitation only | Written proofs | 3.5 hrs |
Multiple formats, one goal: helping every student find their level of mathematical challenge
What Should My Child Bring?
✅ Allowed: Blank paper for rough working, a B or HB pencil (non-propelling)
❌ Not allowed: Calculators, squared paper, measuring instruments
What If My Child Doesn't Finish?
This is completely normal and expected. UKMT competitions are deliberately designed so that even the strongest students may not complete every question. The papers are arranged in approximate order of difficulty, and the early questions are accessible to most participants while the later ones stretch the very best. Reassure your child that attempting the questions they can do is a success — they do not need to finish the paper to do well.
After the competition: celebrating effort and learning, not just results
Beyond the Challenge: Follow-On Rounds and Enrichment
If your child performs well in a Mathematical Challenge, they may be invited to a follow-on round. These are more advanced and often feature written, proof-based questions rather than multiple-choice. Here is what the pathway looks like:
Follow-on rounds: where mathematical reasoning and proof-writing skills truly develop
Junior Follow-On Rounds
Junior Kangaroo — More challenging multiple-choice questions
Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) — Written problems requiring full solutions
Intermediate Follow-On Rounds
Grey Kangaroo and Pink Kangaroo — Increasingly difficult multiple-choice
Cayley, Hamilton, and Maclaurin Olympiads — Named after famous mathematicians, featuring written proofs
Senior Follow-On Rounds
Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo — Creative problem-solving without full proofs
British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1 — Full written olympiad
BMO Round 2 — The highest level, leading to IMO team selection
The Mentoring Scheme: One-to-One Support for Your Child
If your child thrives on challenge and would benefit from sustained, personalised support, the UKMT Mentoring Scheme could be transformative. The scheme pairs students with experienced volunteer mentors who guide them through monthly problem sets over the course of the academic year.
The Mentoring Scheme: personalised mathematical guidance from experienced volunteer mentors
There are nine programmes named after great mathematicians — from Pythagoras (entry level) to Ramanujan (most advanced). Applications for 2026/27 are open, and teachers can nominate one student per school. The deadline is 16th September 2026.
🌟 Parent Tip: If your child's teacher hasn't mentioned the mentoring scheme, consider asking about it. Many teachers are delighted to nominate enthusiastic students, and the scheme can make a profound difference to a child's mathematical development.
Summer Schools: A Life-Changing Experience
The National Mathematics Summer School (NMSS) is a residential, week-long event for students aged 14–16, selected from the top 1.5% of Intermediate Mathematical Challenge results. Invitations are sent through schools in March.
The NMSS: a week of mathematical discovery, new friendships, and unforgettable experiences
Key facts for parents:
Half of attendees are girls; 90% from state schools — the selection process ensures diversity
One student per school per year — and schools cannot send students in consecutive years
Students must be UK passport holders with valid UK-based emergency contacts
The experience is transformative — students consistently describe it as the highlight of their mathematical lives
"I made new friends" — summer school students consistently cite the community as the most memorable aspect
Supporting Your Child at Home: Resources and Advice
UKMT explicitly advises that there is a world of challenging problems for young people to tackle, no matter their age and stage. The Trust cautions against accelerating children through public examinations, instead recommending depth over speed. Here are some excellent resources:
UKMT Books
Published by the Trust and available from their shop (also on Amazon), UKMT books contain curated collections of competition problems with detailed solutions. They are suitable for secondary school students and make excellent gifts for young mathematicians.
UKMT books: carefully curated problem collections that challenge and inspire at every level
Free Online Resources
Past Papers — Available for free download from the UKMT website, these are the single best preparation resource
Video Solutions — Walkthroughs of past paper problems on the UKMT website
NRICH — An excellent website for mathematics enrichment from the University of Cambridge
Numberphile — A popular YouTube channel making mathematics accessible and entertaining
Dr Frost Maths — UKMT's partner platform for classroom integration of competition problems
Over a decade of carefully crafted problems: UKMT publications are a goldmine for aspiring mathematicians
What About Pressure?
One of the most important things UKMT communicates to parents is this: competitions should be fun. The Trust designs problems that are accessible yet challenging, specifically to encourage mathematical thinking rather than to create stress. If your child finds a competition enjoyable, they are getting the full benefit — regardless of their score.
📌 Key Message from UKMT: "Some young people excel in school mathematics and there is sometimes a tendency for students to be accelerated through public examinations. There is a world of challenging problems for young people to tackle, no matter their age and stage." — Focus on depth, not acceleration.
The People Behind UKMT: Who Runs These Competitions?
Parents often wonder who is responsible for setting the problems and running the competitions. UKMT's governance structure is remarkably transparent and volunteer-driven:
The volunteers who set the problems, run the competitions, and mentor the next generation
The Board of Trustees
Chaired by Dr Geoff Smith MBE, the Board sets UKMT's strategic direction. It includes mathematicians and enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds.
Board Committees
Five Board Committees oversee specific areas:
Audit and Finance — Chaired by Dr David Bobker
Investment — Chaired by Mr Simon Yun-Farmbrough
Remuneration — Chaired by Dr Ava Yeo
Risk and Compliance — Chaired by Dr James Cranch
Executive Committees and Problems Groups
Each competition has a dedicated Problems Group that designs the paper. For example:
The Junior Mathematical Challenge and Intermediate Mathematical Challenge problems are set by groups chaired by Mr Howard Groves MBE
The British Mathematical Olympiad problems are overseen by Mr Sam Bealing
The Mathematical Olympiad for Girls problems are set by a group chaired by Dr Vesna Kadelburg
The Primary Mathematics Resources are developed under Mrs Lorna Piper
A volunteer-driven organisation: every competition paper is crafted by dedicated mathematicians and educators
How Parents Can Get Involved
Beyond supporting your child's participation, there are several ways you can contribute to UKMT's mission:
Volunteer — If you have a mathematics background, consider becoming a mentor. Email volunteering@ukmt.org.uk to learn more.
Donate — As a registered charity, UKMT relies on donations to sustain and expand its programmes. Every contribution helps reach more young people.
Spread the word — Encourage your child's school to register with UKMT if they haven't already. Share information about the competitions with other parents.
Sign up for UKMT News — Receive quarterly updates about competitions, enrichment programmes, and new resources directly to your inbox.
A community effort: parents, teachers, volunteers, and students all playing their part in mathematical enrichment
Essential Contact Information
| General enquiries | enquiries@ukmt.org.uk |
| Mentoring | mentoring@ukmt.org.uk |
| Enrichment | enrichment@ukmt.org.uk |
| Volunteering | volunteering@ukmt.org.uk |
| Data Protection | dpo@ukmt.org.uk |
Your child's mathematical journey starts here.
Explore everything UKMT has to offer at www.ukmt.org.uk
