Hey there
I'm BOBBY SEAGULL
Hey there
I'm BOBBY SEAGULL
I’m a school maths teacher and Cambridge University Doctorate student. Before moving into education, I was an investment banking trader at Lehman Brothers & Nomura, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant from PwC.
I’m an ambassador for the charity National Numeracy, a presenter for an Open University course on personal finance for young adults, a regular contributor to Radio Four’s Puzzle For Today and a columnist for the Financial Times.
I’m author of The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers (which reached #50 Amazon UK best sellers over Christmas 2018) and co-presenter of the podcast Maths Appeal. With my University Challenge friend, I co-wrote The Monkman & Seagull Quiz and co-presented a BBC TV series Monkman & Seagull’s Genius Guide to Britain. Outside of maths, I’m a long-suffering West ham fan!
About Me
Teacher
Teacher
After my career as a trader in investment banking (Lehman Brothers, yes that one, and Japanese
bank Nomura), I qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PwC. At PwC, I tutored new graduate
trainees and this is where I had my epiphany – I loved teaching! So I went to Cambridge University to
do my PGCE Maths course.
After, I taught at the East London Science School whilst doing my Masters
at Cambridge. Then I started my Doctorate in Maths Education at Cambridge whilst teaching at
Chesterton Community College in Cambridge. I now teach part time back home in Newham, London,
at Little Ilford School.
My Awesome Books
Writer
I’m now a published author of 2 books. In 2017, The Monkman & Seagull Quiz Book was my first book and in 2018, I published The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers (Penguin Random House).
I write as a columnist for the Financial Times Money section. I have had other various articles published in the Telegraph and Huffington Post.
As a quizzer, I have enjoyed writing about quizzing as well for national papers.
The Life-Changing Magic of Numbers: How Maths Can Make Life Better OCTOBER 2018.
Hack your life with maths!
Hack your life with maths!
Once you know how to see them, numbers are all around us - buried in the dimensions of buildings and encoding the data on our favorite gadgets. They're a beautiful system of patterns and codes but also an essential tool that can guide our daily decisions, change our behavior and even predict the future - if we can just learn how to use them right.
BUY NOW +
The Monkman And Seagull Quiz Book OCTOBER 2017
IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A GAME?
IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A GAME?
It’s Super-book! The Monkman and Seagull Quiz Book is a modern classic: a book game that challenges everyone to join in and play. You probably know them best from the electrifying matches of University Challenge 2016-17, which saw perhaps the series most memorable contestants ever, dapper Bobby Seagull and fan-favorite Eric Monkman, go head-to-head.
Buy Now +
Speaker
Speaker
I love the thrill of speaking to a live audience!
I am a confident keynote speaker and conference host. I try to bring my balance of teacher concentration blended with light humour. I have hosted events for Pearson Education, Mayor of London’s City Hall and the British Library.
I have spoken at many literary and science festivals, and more informal events at museums and theatres, such as the Science Museum and even an Academy Award (Oscars) screening.
Although most of my talks are about maths, I also do inspiring talks to students to enthuse them about their studies. I am confident enough to do talks on almost anything (from the maths of dating to my love for football!)
// BOBBY Seagull
TV/Media
TV/Media
I co-presented the BBC Two series Monkman & Seagull Genius Guide. Our first series was a four part Genius Guide to Britain and our new series is a three part Genius Guide to the Age of Invention.
I enjoy doing newspaper reviews on BBC One.
I’m confident in representing the views of teachers, being on Good Morning Britain and BBC Radio Four’s Any Questions.
I was the teacher of BBC Breakfast presenters (Naga, Tim and Jayne) for their GCSE Maths Challenge.
MoreMATHS
First and foremost, I am a maths teacher. However I love the idea of being a teacher that can inspire not just my students, but students in other classes, schools and maybe even abroad!
I love writing maths puzzles. I regularly contribute puzzles for BBC Radio Four’s Today programme.
I’ve hosted a Pearson Educations conference on maths anxiety.
Puzzles
Puzzles
At school, I often set my students puzzles as activities to start the lesson. Over the past couple of years, I have enjoy writing puzzles for the nation to solve. If you tune into BBC Radio Four at 6.50am, you’ll hear often hear my maths problems! On special occasions like Christmas and the Cricket World Cup final, I also set puzzles for BBC Breakfast viewers.
Solve a puzzle like a University Challenge star:
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FINANCIAL
I believe that numeracy confidence can lead to better financial management confidence. I write for the Financial Times and have judged the Personal Finance of the Year Teacher Award. I’ve co- presented an Open University course (Managing My Money for Young Adults) alongside Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis.
Need more info ? Here are my articles:
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Fun & Football
Fun & Football
As an East Ham lad, I’m a huge West Ham football fan. In fact, my first wages before university were
spent on buying a West Ham season ticket!
I take part in YouTube channel Football Daily’s Stat Wars. They have a huge audience of 2m+ for
their content.
I also use football as a way of engaging young people with maths. I’ve co-presented a BBC Live
Lesson for primary school children alongside Alex Scott (of BBC & Sky Sports fame) and Braydon Bent
(Sky TV Kids). I also support the work of the West Ham Foundation, who use the football club
branding to run local educational projects.
I love getting involved with a range of other fun projects including doing an ad for Argos and for
Geek Island, UKTV’s parody of Love Island.
CHARITY
I gain a great sense of satisfaction supporting organisations that promote education, particularly for young people. I co-founded OxFizz in 2007, a social enterprise that supports students applying to university and we have donated close to £1m to charitable causes.
Having been a participant on the 2009 UpRising leadership programme, I joined the charity as a trustee in 2014 as it helps develop leadership programmes for young people.
In 2017, I became an ambassador for the National Numeracy, alongside Countdown star Rachel Riley and Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis. I have supported National Numeracy in the wonderful ICAP Charity Days. In 2019, I have become an ambassador for Potential Plus UK, that support children with high learning potential. Recently, I have become a governor for my local Newham College of Further Education. I also support West Ham Football Foundation with local educational projects.
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