Oldham College are celebrating an incredible achievement after their learners were named overall winners of the MEI Further Education Maths Challenge 2026.
The Further Education Maths Challenge, led by Mathematics in Education and Industry, is designed to help post-16 learners build confidence in maths through teamwork and problem-solving, particularly those who may have previously found the subject challenging.
Our students competed in the first-ever national final, held at Solihull College and University Centre on 21st April, where top teams from colleges across the country came together after progressing through regional heats.
Representing the College were GCSE learners Shaun, Maira, Perculiar and Kyle who secured their place in the final after winning Gold at the regional competition hosted by The Manchester College in March.
Competing in the ‘Go Forth’ category for students working at GCSE Level 2 and Grade 3, the team delivered an outstanding performance to take first place nationally and be crowned overall winners.
This year’s competition was the biggest yet, with 124 colleges taking part and almost 60,000 students involved.
To reach the national final, learners demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills and strong communication, remaining focused under pressure to secure the win.
Andy Thornley, Faculty Lead for English and Maths, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our learners. They represented the College brilliantly and showed real determination and teamwork throughout the competition. This is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved result for everyone involved.
“When it was announced that we had won Gold, we were so proud. Our Kahoot score was over 3,000 points above the college that came in second place.
“You could really see what it meant to the learners, it was a brilliant moment to celebrate their hard work and success.
“The competition is a great way to build confidence and show that maths can be engaging and enjoyable.
Bonshad Oliazadeh, Programme Tutor for English and Maths, added: “This was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in teaching.
“The learners showed incredible passion and enthusiasm to win, which really stood out. From the moment they arrived, the judges recognised their determination. Moments like this help build confidence that stays with our learners.”
A spokesperson for Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) said: “Congratulations to the Oldham College Go Forth team on winning first place in the FE Maths Challenge National Final.
“It’s fantastic to see the impact the competition is having, with more than 90% of students rating it as good or excellent this year, and 87% saying they feel more confident taking their maths exam as a result.”