On Friday the 2nd of May, a group of our bright Year 7 mathematicians visited Bletchley Park, to step back in time and learn about the secret work of the World War 2 codebreakers. During their visit, pupils enjoyed a fascinating guided tour, learning about the site’s pivotal role in the war effort and the extraordinary individuals who worked there - most notably Alan Turing, whose work is featured in the film The Imitation Game and whose face is displayed on the £50 note. They were particularly interested in uncovering the vital role mathematics played in cracking enemy codes as we have looked at similar problems in their Axiom maths club this year.

The highlight of the day was a hands-on workshop, where students tried their own codebreaking skills, had an opportunity to use a real surviving Enigma machine from the war, and gained a deeper appreciation for the logic and problem-solving at the heart of this remarkable history. The trip was a fantastic experience for all involved, bringing history and mathematics to life and showed the students the impact the problem-solving skills they gain in the mathematics classroom have had on the world.