2026-11-03 — Competition and Education Briefing

Ireland

Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge Begins Next Week

Upcoming competition — 9–20 November 2026

The Irish Computer Society confirms that this year’s Bebras Challenge runs from 9–20 November. It offers online problem-solving tasks without requiring previous computing knowledge.

Categories cover 1st class through 6th year. Teachers must register students, and coordinator registration is restricted to teachers in the Republic of Ireland. The reviewed page does not specify a separate registration deadline.

Irish Computer Society — Bebras Dates, Categories and Registration. Irish Computer Society

Science Week Challenge Invites Primary Classes to Compete

Upcoming competition — 9–13 November 2026

Coding Ireland’s free Science Week Challenge is open to primary schools across Ireland, from 2nd–6th class. Classes participate together on a classroom display in short science rounds, with water featuring prominently this year.

Each class’s best attempt counts towards national and county leaderboards. Winners will be announced on 13 November at 4pm. Teachers can register their classes; a separate registration deadline is not stated on the reviewed page.

Coding Ireland — Science Week Challenge. codingireland.ie

United Kingdom

Lords Call for Earlier Numeracy Support and Better Maths Teaching Capacity

Published — 3 November 2026 | Recommendations principally concerning England’s education system

The House of Lords Numeracy for Life Committee has published Making it Count: Numeracy for Life, calling for stronger early-years numeracy guidance, sustained recruitment of specialist maths teachers and training to identify dyscalculia.

The committee also warns about repeated GCSE maths resits, reporting that only one in five 16–19-year-old resit candidates achieves Grade 4. These are recommendations to government, rather than newly enacted school requirements.

UK Parliament — Numeracy for Life Report and Recommendations. UK Parliament

Cambridge International Moves June AS- and A-Level Results to July

Announced — 3 November 2026 | UK-based awarding body; international application

Cambridge International will release June 2027 International AS- and A-Level results on 28 July 2027, almost two weeks earlier than its 2026 release date.

The change gives students more time to confirm university places, complete enrolment and arrange visas or travel. It applies to Cambridge International qualifications, not all UK A levels. June-series Cambridge IGCSE and O-level results dates remain unchanged, as do the March and November AS- and A-Level series.

Cambridge International — Announcement Distributed via Medianet. News Hub

United States

Regeneron Science Talent Search Applications Close on Thursday

Deadline reminder — 5 November 2026, 8pm Eastern Time

Applications for the 2027 Regeneron Science Talent Search close this Thursday. Entrants submit completed, original individual research, rather than a project proposal or team research.

Eligible applicants include students living in the US or its territories and attending their final year of secondary school, regardless of citizenship. US citizens studying abroad may also qualify; non-US citizens attending American schools abroad are not eligible.

The top 300 scholars will be announced on 7 January 2027, followed by the 40 finalists on 21 January.

Regeneron Science Talent Search — Application and Dates · Official Eligibility FAQ. societyforscience.org