HUNDREDS of high school students spent the day at Colchester United football stadium - but it was maths not football on the cards.

Harwich and Dovercourt High School and Manningtree High joined six other schools for the unique maths day.

Teachers designed special activities and lessons to stretch the 240 top year 11 students in a bid to help them achieve the highest GCSE grade of A*.

The event was the first of its type for the North East Essex Education Partnership academy schools, which joined together in April 2012.

Nigel Mountford, Harwich and Dovercourt headteacher, said: “This full day event is an example of how by bringing key teachers together special events can be organised for our students to provide a great learning experience.

“Our top mathematicians were mathematically challenged and stretched to their limit. "