A teacher at a Wembley school is using a £20,000 competition prize to help children in Brent get to grips with mathematics.

Colin Hegarty, an advanced skills maths teacher at Preston Manor All-Through Foundation School in Carlton Avenue East,

is the mastermind behind a free website featuring maths tutorials for pupils from year seven through to GCSE and A-level studies.

Following his win in The Shine Trust’s national teaching competition Let Teachers SHINE, the 31-year-old maths expert is using the funds to develop his website to make it more interactive and personal for pupils.

“The number one priority is to help disadvantaged kids,” said Mr Hegarty.

“I know this area really well and I want kids from all over Brent to use it.

“I’ve never charged for it and I never will, it’s a labour of love.

“There are many kids who struggle with maths and just need that little bit of extra time and support outside lessons with an experienced maths teacher to achieve their potential.

“Over recent years, there has also been a growing gulf in attainment levels between pupils who have and have not been able to afford private tuition in maths to supplement their maths studies, in particular, in the run up to public examinations.”

The online tutorials, in video format, aim to make pupils feel they are receiving one-to-one tuition from a teacher who is passionate and knowledgeable about maths.

The website, www.hegartymaths.com, has attracted 6,300 subscribers in 205 countries to date.