Speakers

Catherine Boulton

Senior Policy Adviser – The Royal Society

Catherine heads up policy initiatives in mathematical education at the Royal Society, collaborating with RS ACME. Her background spans educational publishing and professional development programmes for teachers at a literacy-focused charity. The Royal Society serves as the UK's independent scientific academy, committed to advancing scientific excellence for the benefit of society – with a longstanding commitment to educational improvement.

Since 2020, their education policy team has been examining what mathematical skills and understanding young people will require to flourish in an increasingly data-driven world, and how the education system should evolve accordingly. In September 2024, they released their publication outlining a fresh perspective on mathematics and data education.

Plenary: 'Mathematical Futures – The Curriculum and Beyond'

This presentation will share the journey behind their policy recommendations and the aspirations for how these might positively shape the future of mathematics education.

Charlie Stripp MBE

President of The Mathematical Association

Plenary: 'Future Proofing Maths Education'

Charlie is a dedicated champion of mathematics education across all phases, from primary through to higher education. In his role as Chief Executive of the mathematics education charity MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry), Charlie leads an organisation that plays a central role in curriculum development nationally and in supporting mathematics teachers' professional growth.

MEI is instrumental in developing and leading several major government-funded initiatives to enhance mathematics education: the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP), the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), and the Maths Hubs Programme.

Rob Eastaway

Author and Presenter

Rob is a writer and broadcaster whose publications include 'Maths On The Back Of An Envelope' and his latest work 'Much Ado About Numbers' (exploring mathematics within Shakespeare's plays). He leads Maths Inspiration, a national programme of theatre-style mathematical lectures designed for older secondary students, which recently marked its 20th anniversary. He appears regularly on BBC Radio 4's programme More Or Less.

Plenary: 'You Too Can Be A Maths Genius'

When Bobby Seagull performed a mental calculation of 45 × 400 on television, comedian Tom Allen dubbed him a 'maths genius'. If that's the threshold for genius status, then the vast majority of your students could achieve it too – whether in secondary or primary settings. Mental arithmetic is more than a practical skill; it builds mathematical confidence and provides an accessible pathway into number theory, algebra and other areas of mathematics. Rob Eastaway will share his favourite techniques and shortcuts that can unlock mathematical potential in everyone.