KS5 Maths Day
Each year in March/April we offer a KS5 Maths Day. Currently this is available for school groups accompanied by their teachers.
Spend a day with us at the University of Leeds experiencing a range of mathematical activities with an optional tour of the campus and talk about studying mathematics at university. The day culminates with the W. P. Milne lecture in celebration of a former Professor of Mathematics who joined the University in 1919.
The next event will take place in March/April 2026. Date to be confirmed.
KEY STAGE 5 MATHS DAY
Some morning sessions are still to be confirmed but there will be various options for morning activities.
The following is an illustration of what might be possible.
Choose one of the options below and then attend our W. P. Milne Sixth Form lecture.
You will be asked to rank the options in order of preference and where possible you will be given your preferred session. If you would also like a campus tour in the break before the lecture please let us know.
The day is suitable for maths A Level students. Students should bring packed lunches.
OPTION A - Hands-on mathematics, talk and tour
Activities include creating chaos and exploring the maths of soap bubbles in a 'hands-on mathematics' session, an optional campus tour, and a talk about studying mathematics at Leeds.
11:00 - 14:20
OPTION B - A mathematical workshop
Here is an example of the sessions we will offer
Untangling knot theory
It's not only mountaineers, scouts, and sailors who study knots, but also mathematicians. In fact, knot theory has turned out to be an extraordinarily deep subject – the fundamental question of determining whether two knots are the same turns out to be surprisingly difficult. This subject also has numerous and diverse applications, from the knotting of our own DNA to quantum physics. In this session we will meet several mathematical techniques for analysing and classifying different knots.
10:30 - 12:30 or 11:00 - 13:00
The simplest computer in the world Real computers are complicated things, which makes them difficult to analyse. There are branches of mathematics which think about what computers are capable of doing. (Complexity theory and computability theory are the names of two of these branches.) If we want to mathematically analyse computers, we need to develop simple models of computers. Surprisingly, these "toy model" computers are capable of performing all the tasks that can be accomplished using the biggest super-computers. In this activity, we'll get a feeling for the mathematics of computability by learning about some very simple toy-model computers.
10:30 - 12:30 or 11:00 - 13:00
OPTION C - A talk and a tour
A talk about studying mathematics at Leeds and a campus tour led by current undergraduate students.
Flexible timings: 11:00-12:30, 11:30-13:00, 12:00-13:30, 12:30-14:00
OPTION D - W. P Milne Lecture only
If you can't make the morning activities don't worry. Select this option to just attend the W. P. Milne lecture (details below).
THE 2025 W. P. MILNE LECTURE
We are excited to welcome Katie Steckles, to deliver the W. P. Milne lecture.
Katie Steckles is a mathematician based in Manchester, who gives talks and workshops and writes about mathematics. She finished her PhD in 2011, and since then has talked about maths at universities, schools events, festivals, on BBC radio and TV, in books and on the internet.
The Mathematics of Paper
Wednesday 2nd April 14:30 - 15:30
The humble sheet of paper has almost infinite mathematical potential. 
Join mathematician Katie Steckles as she demonstrates some of her favourite mathematical concepts and shares some puzzles using both real and imaginary pieces of paper. Materials will be provided to join in from your seat, as Katie reveals the mathematical secrets hiding in household stationery.
The W. P. Milne lecture is held in collaboration with the Yorkshire Branch of the Mathematical Association and can be booked independently of the morning activities (Option D above).
How to book
The applications will open once the event date is announced.
For more information please contact Ruth Holland.