News | 11 February 2026
Building a thriving maths culture at IES Lund
At IES Lund, mathematics is more than just a classroom subject; it is a competitive passion. Each year, around 180 students step up to test their logic and problem-solving skills in prestigious competitions such as Pythagoras Quest, HMT, Pangea, and Kängurun (Kangaroo).
The winning team in the IES Maths Competition: From the left: Aida, Qianru, Alison Wreford (HoD), Eddie and Deep.
This year has already brought a highlight in Pythagoras Quest, where the team from IES Lund – consisting of two year 7 students and one year 9 student – secured an impressive seventh place with 21 points in the regional finals. In addition to this success, IES Täby also performed brilliantly by securing third place.
Following exceptional performances in the ongoing Pangea competition, students from IES Lund and IES Täby have secured multiple top-ten placements across years 4 to 9. These finalists have been invited to an awards ceremony on 14 March, where the top three students from each year group will be announced and presented with scholarships.
Driven by this enthusiasm, the Heads of Mathematics established an inter-IES competition four years ago, between IES Lund, IES Staffanstorp, and IES Trelleborg. This annual event brings students together for a full day dedicated to the beauty of numbers. The competition is structured around team-based challenges, in which each team comprises two year 5 and two year 6 students, working together to tackle mathematical problems.
Reflecting on the initiative, Alison Wreford, Head of Mathematics at IES Lund, noted:
"It is truly rewarding to witness the level of enthusiasm our students bring to these competitions. Beyond the scores and prizes, the real magic happens in those moments when you see students pushing themselves further than they might in a lesson, debating complex solutions or celebrating a breakthrough in a problem."
The most recent competition was held yesterday, which showcased a fantastic display of intense focus and brilliant teamwork. The top three teams were awarded certificates, and prizes were presented to the overall winners.
It is also worth noting that several other IES schools have performed well in these maths competitions, such as IES Kista, IES Umeå, and IES Södra Änggården.