Saturday 14 March marks the International Day of Mathematics (also known as Pi Day!). This year’s theme, Mathematics and Hope, highlights the role mathematics plays in helping us understand the world and develop ideas that shape the future.

At Reading Blue Coat, mathematics encourages curiosity and logical thinking across every year group. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Head of Mathematics, Mr Pritchard, about his passion for the subject, the joy of teaching and why maths matters far beyond the classroom.

Mr Pritchard’s love of maths began during his own time at school when he discovered the satisfaction that comes with solving problems and helping others understand them.

“I have always enjoyed doing Maths myself. When revising for my GCSEs I helped lots of friends by explaining topics to them. That was when I first started thinking about becoming a teacher. Seeing someone go from struggling with a topic to understanding it and eventually becoming confident with it is incredibly rewarding.”

Teaching mathematics at Reading Blue Coat brings variety that Mr Pritchard finds particularly inspiring.

“One lesson might be with a Year 7 class learning about area and perimeter, and the next could be with Year 13 Further Maths students exploring complex calculus. The variety makes every day different.”

Students at Blue Coat also bring a curiosity that keeps lessons engaging.

“Many of our students genuinely enjoy maths and are very inquisitive. They ask some really interesting questions which often lead to great discussions in the classroom.”

Beyond the classroom, Mr Pritchard believes mathematics gives students valuable life skills that extend far beyond solving equations.

“Maths is all about problem solving. I often talk about building a toolkit of techniques that we can use to tackle different challenges. Life presents lots of problems that need careful thinking. Maths helps students recognise the tools they have available and gives them the confidence to attempt a solution and adapt if something does not work the first time.”

This year’s International Day of Mathematics theme, Mathematics and Hope, reflects the role mathematical ideas have played in shaping discoveries throughout history.

“Many areas of maths began with a desire to understand the world around us. At the time the research may not appear to have practical uses, but often those ideas lead to unexpected applications that improve people’s lives.”

Watching students develop confidence in mathematics is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“The biggest reward is seeing a student’s confidence grow. When someone realises they can solve problems they once found difficult, it is a fantastic moment.”

Mr Pritchard also encourages students who feel uncertain about their mathematical ability to rethink what being a “maths person” really means.

“Everyone uses maths in some way, so everyone is a maths person. The subject is very broad which means there will always be something that suits your strengths. Musicians recognise patterns and sequences when composing, artists use symmetry to create visually pleasing work, and athletes think about speed and distance with every kick or throw.”

For students considering mathematics at A Level or beyond, Mr Pritchard highlights the wide range of opportunities it can open.

“Maths at A Level prepares you extremely well for many university courses or apprenticeships because it demonstrates strong problem solving and critical thinking skills. It can lead to exciting careers in areas such as engineering, data science and statistical analysis.”

When asked to summarise why mathematics matters in everyday life, Mr Pritchard keeps it simple!

“Mathematical skills are vital in everyday life. Managing money, adjusting recipes or thinking logically about a problem all involve maths.”

Outside the classroom Mr Pritchard enjoys climbing, a sport that involves strategy and problem solving in ways that feel surprisingly similar to tackling a mathematical challenge.

“Climbing routes can be approached in lots of different ways. If you get stuck you have to think about the climb differently, which is very similar to solving a maths problem.”

He is also a keen animal lover and says his dog Percy and guinea pig Olaf always bring a smile to his face.

As Reading Blue Coat celebrates the International Day of Mathematics, Mr Pritchard’s enthusiasm is a reminder that mathematics is not simply about numbers. It is about curiosity, confidence and discovering new ways to understand the world around us.