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This week, students were treated to a truly unforgettable experience as renowned author,

mathematician, and speaker Rob Eastaway visited the school to deliver two exciting workshops

exploring the surprising links between mathematics and the world of William Shakespeare.

Rob Eastaway is well known for his ability to make mathematics entertaining and accessible. He

has written several popular books about maths and its place in everyday life, history, and sport,

and has worked with schools, universities, and television programmes to inspire people to see

maths in a completely different way. During his visit, Rob brought energy, humour, and

fascinating historical knowledge that immediately captured the attention of his audience.

The workshops focused on the mathematical life and times of Shakespeare and revealed how

deeply mathematics was connected to everyday life during the Elizabethan era. Students

discovered that maths was not just about numbers on a page, but something that shaped music,

calendars, navigation, architecture, timekeeping, and entertainment during Shakespeare’s

lifetime.

One of the most interesting parts of the sessions was learning about the calendar system used in

Shakespeare’s England and how mathematical calculations were essential for measuring time

and organising daily life. Rob also explained how mathematics included the study of music at this

time helping students understand the strong relationship between maths and the arts. Another highlight was the

exploration of rainbows and light, where students learnt how mathematics helps explain colour, shape, and the natural

world.

Rob also amazed audiences with demonstrations involving clocks, time, and mathematical “magic

tricks,” leaving many students stunned as they tried to work out the hidden patterns and clever

calculations behind them. Fittingly, Shakespeare himself once wrote, “There is geometry in the humming of the strings,

there is music in the spacing of the spheres.” This beautiful reflection perfectly captured the spirit of Rob’s workshops,

showing students that mathematics and creativity have long been connected in

surprising and inspiring ways.

 

Throughout both workshops, students and teachers listened in amazement, often reacting with

surprise and laughter as Rob revealed unexpected connections between Shakespeare and

mathematics. Many students commented afterwards that the sessions had completely changed

the way they think about maths, showing that it can be creative, historical, and even magical.

The visit was a wonderful opportunity to experience learning beyond the classroom and

demonstrated how different subjects can connect in exciting and meaningful ways. Shakespeare

and maths may seem like an unusual combination, but Rob Eastaway proved that together they

create a rich and fascinating world where creativity, logic, history, and imagination meet.