We are delighted to announce an agreement between the North West Two Maths Hub and the Turing Trust, resulting in the Maths Hub being named after the famous mathematician and World War Two codebreaker, Alan Turing.

From today, 23 May, the Maths Hub known since its launch in 2014 as North West Two Maths Hub will become Turing NW Maths Hub. The hub serves schools in several areas in and around Greater Manchester. It is led by Ashton on Mersey School in Sale. Teachers from hundreds of schools – primary and secondary – in the region have already benefited from the extended, collaborative CPD activities that are unique to the Maths Hubs Programme.

Alan Turing’s links with the North West were established when, after WW2, he became an academic in the University of Manchester’s Department of Mathematics

His name and contribution to mathematics and computing is kept alive by the Turing Trust, which provides computers in developing nations. The trust’s CEO, James Turing, Alan Turing’s great-nephew, was immediately enthusiastic when the Maths Hub approached him about adopting the Turing name:

My family and I are continually delighted and humbled that Alan Turing's legacy provides such inspiration to so many. It is an honour that the Maths Hub has chosen to formally recognise Alan's achievements by naming the hub Turing NW, and we look forward to collaborating with them to improve educational opportunities.

The Maths Hub Lead, Sarah Coldbeck, hopes the adopting of the Turing name will inspire both teachers and pupils across the region they serve:

We are very proud to carry his name and will endeavour to encourage mathematicians of all ages in the hope that one day they might also be able to use maths to impact positively on the lives of others. We aim to honour his legacy and embody his passion for mathematics in all the work we do.

The NCETM’s Director Charlie Stripp also welcomed the link:

Alan Turing’s mathematical work – both theoretical, through establishing the conceptual underpinnings of computer science and artificial intelligence, and directly practical, by applying advanced mathematics to break ciphers in WW2 – epitomises how a passion for maths can change the world. I am delighted that the Turing NW Maths Hub will reflect and take inspiration from his love of maths. The Turing NW Maths Hub’s work is helping young mathematicians to succeed in their maths education so that they can go on to use maths beyond the classroom. The hub’s new name is a fitting reflection of this work.

The newly named Turing NW Maths Hub is one of a network of 35 Maths Hubs across England. Maths Hubs work together in a programme coordinated by the NCETM and funded by the Department for Education. Two new Maths Hubs, both in the North West, are due to join the network later this year.

An official launch of the newly named Turing NW Maths Hub will take place at Ashton on Mersey School on 18 June 2019.

If you have any questions about this news item or about the Maths Hubs Programme, please contact Beth Goodliff, NCETM Communications Officer (bethanie.goodliff@ncetm.org.uk, 07909 997831).