Children had great fun dressing as spies to learn how maths is used in the real world.

The whole school at Richard de Clare Community Primary School, in Parsonage Street, Halstead, took part in a secret agent-themed maths week which culminated in a spy day on Friday, where they got to dress up as spies and take part in fun maths challenges.

Headteacher Sarah Donnelly said: “It was fabulous.

“The children did co-ordinates, critical thinking and other maths that didn’t feel like maths as it was fun.

“We also had a visit from the Happy Puzzle Company which was about solving problems in groups.

“It was something different and the children enjoyed seeing how maths can be used in everyday life.

“We also had parents come in who filled out “mission cards” of how they use maths every day - from builder to hairdressers to stay-at-home mums.

“There was real community support and it has inspired some children to get more interested in maths.”

The school holds a maths week every year with a different theme.