This remarkable competition can trace its origins to the former Tayside Region and, in particular, to Mr Clive Chambers, former Adviser in Mathematics, and a group of enthusiastic colleagues. Heats are held throughout the country and the winning teams are invited to take part in the National Final. During the 1990s this Final was hosted by different authorities in turn. To help to ensure the long-term future of the event, the SMC took over the running of the National Final with effect from 2000.

Each entered team should consist of four pupils, at least two from S3 and at most two from S4. Local authorities are encouraged to run a regional qualification event: this is by far the preferred procedure as it gives as many pupils as possible a chance to participate. Advice and materials are available to support regional heats. Authorities unable to run a qualification event may nominate particular schools instead.

For materials for regional heats and general questions regarding the final, please contact the National Co-ordinator, James Burns ([email protected]).

For further competition details and entry arrangements, including queries about how many schools from each region should qualify, please contact the Local Authority Liaison, Peter Todd ([email protected]).

Here is South Lanarkshire Council’s 2013 qualifying round (thanks to SouthLanarkshireTV)