Kicking Off Maths Circle 2026

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We were delighted to welcome back Oliver Preest (Old Wilsonian, 2021) - a postgraduate student from the London School of Economics - to deliver the first of three lectures in the Wilson’s School Maths Circle Lecture series.

Titled Modelling Uncertainty: Mathematics and Randomness in Markets, the talk drew enthusiastic Wilsonians as well as sixth form students from schools across the local area. We were introduced to captivating ways in which mathematics can be used to make sense of uncertainty in the real world, particularly in financial stock markets.

Through a series of clever thought experiments and brain teasers, we learnt about the Martingale strategy, how financial assets can be treated as random variables or processes - known as Stochastic Processes - and the importance of concepts such as the Law of Large Numbers and probability distributions in aiding our understanding of market behaviour. This link between Maths and Economics was further explored through the Black-Scholes model, which helps framework price derivatives, as well as the plethora of techniques such as delta hedging used by traders to help protect themselves against uncertainty in the stock market.

All in all, we thank Oliver warmly for inspiring us as the next generation of mathematicians. It was a wonderful occasion that reminded everyone of the remarkable achievements of Wilson’s School alumni, as they continue to embody our school’s motto - Non Sibi Sed Omnibus (Not For Oneself But For All)!

Article written by Edward & Paarush (Year 12)