St Mary’s pupils celebrate success in Computational Thinking Challenge

St Mary’s pupils celebrate success in Computational Thinking Challenge

8 January 2021

It is an online competition run by Oxford University, which involves solving complex problems against the clock, using computational thinking skills such as algorithm design, pattern recognition, logic and abstraction. The girls competed in their respective age categories against schools from all over the UK (241,348 students in total) and the competition also ran in over 50 other countries across the world.

This is the first year that St Mary’s Junior School has taken part in the competition and the school is absolutely delighted with the results that their girls have achieved compared to other schools in Cambridgeshire and the country as a whole. St Mary’s Year 2 pupils achieved an average score of 66%, compared to a national average of 60%, and Year 4 pupils achieved an average score of 92% compared to a national average of 81%. Year 6 pupils scored even more highly, with an average score of 99% compared to a national average of 77% and a Cambridgeshire average of 83%.

In addition to results at a school level, the girls have also received certificates for their individual performances, with the ‘Merit’ and ‘Distinction’ categories for exceptional performances being achieved by well over three-quarters of the girls in the older two age groups and over half of the girls in Year 2.

Many congratulations to Catherine C. (95%), Charlotte C. & Gayatri K. (82%) and Diya S. (92%) for achieving the highest scores in their Age Groups and being awarded ‘Best In School’ certificates.

St Mary’s also delighted to announce that eight Year 6 girls achieved scores in the top 10% nationally and have been invited to participate in the online Oxford University Computing Challenge 2021 in February.

Mr Andrew Severy, Computer Science Coordinator at St Mary’s Junior School, commented: “The girls worked extremely hard during the challenge and demonstrated not just their computational thinking skills, but also enthusiasm, determination and perseverance. They should all be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”

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