Pupils in the 9s (Year 5) recently took part in a Maths Escape Room workshop run by The Problem Solving Company, offering a different way to engage with mathematical thinking. Each form group spent a 90-minute session working in small teams to tackle a series of puzzles and challenges.
Working collaboratively, pupils had to solve a range of maths questions in order to unlock the number combinations needed to open the locks on their escape boxes. Each correct answer opened a padlock and revealed the next clue. When the final padlock was opened, it provided the key to a large central box. Inside they discovered the timer, allowing each team to see how quickly they had managed to complete the challenge.
It was great to hear the buzz in the room when a team solved a puzzle and unlocked a padlock!”
Janek Saller, Teacher of Mathematics and Lower Prep Mathematics Lead
After the escape room activity, pupils also took part in a construction challenge using large soft- play shapes, working together to build cubes and test their teamwork and problem solving skills in a different way.
Mr Janek Saller, Teacher of Mathematics & Lower Prep Mathematics Lead, who organised the sessions, said the workshops were very well received. “The feedback from the children has been brilliant and it was lovely to see them collaborating in a slightly different context to the classroom environment and supporting each other through each new puzzle. It was great to hear the buzz in the room when a team solved a puzzle and unlocked a padlock!”
The winners from each class were:
- 9KFI: Francesca, Franco, Amber, Axel and Oscar T
- 9LMI: Solveig, Daisy, Bastian, Lochie, Lola P, Amelie
- 9SBA: Henry, Amaiya, Marni, Rose, Oscar W
The overall winning team was 9KFI who cracked the code in approximately 39 minutes!
To see all the pictures