Year five students at Robin Hood Primary School were looking for fun ways to learn more maths. They advertised that in order to do this they wanted to stage a Go-Kart Grand Prix. We responded saying couldn't build Go-Karts but suggesting that instead they may wish to run a Scalextric Grand Prix - they decided they would and the collaboration started.

The students were in charge of organising everything that needed to go into staging the race and at almost every point in the organisation we found ourselves needing to use maths to solve problems. We had to work to scale to draw a plan of the hall and the circuit. We needed to look at degrees in a circle for the circuit plan too. We needed to work on timings for the day (timetabling) and timings for the race - including averages. We drew a matrix to work out the fixture list and tables to create leagues. We even considered running a refreshment stall and worked out prices and profit margins.

Each class had five teams of six racers. The teams gave themselves names, produced banners, flags and painted their cars. Good work in class was rewarded with extra time on the practice circuit. Each race lasted five minutes, with every driver taking a stint in each race, teams marshalled their own cars, teams not driving took turns acting as judges/scorers, commentators or took a rest. The winners of one league raced against the runners up in the other for a place in the grand final. Other classes came to support through the day and parents were also there for the last three races. Grand Prix Day - 6th May, 2011 - was exciting and VERY NOISY.

Photographs by Ming De Nasty

Lead Artist: Jack Trow
With: Craig Stephens and James Yarker
Lead Teachers: Ms.Rowlands & Ms.Wild
Creative Agent: Iain Smith
Funded by BrightSpace, Birmingham as part of Creative Partnerships.