When Fallon Sherrock — better known as the “Queen of the Palace” — stepped into Summerfield School in Milton Keynes, no one expected a typical school visit. Instead, she brought energy, passion, and a bold idea: mix darts and numeracy into one unforgettable experience.
Sherrock joined forces with the PDC’s Bullseye Maths initiative — a program that uses darts as a vehicle to teach and reinforce mathematical skills. It’s a clever concept: throw a dart, score points, add up totals, understand geometry, percentages — all while having fun.
A Sunny Twist to Learning
This was Bullseye Maths’ first outdoor session, taking advantage of summer weather and open space to run hands-on games with real dart throws and worksheets side by side. The Year 5 students jumped in, eagerly tallying their scores and cheering one another on. One teacher commented, “We all had a fantastic day. The children loved the Bullseye Maths experiences and getting to meet Fallon.”
For Sherrock, it was personal. Her own son attends Summerfield, and he took part in the very session his mother helped run. She admitted: “When I was first playing I found it quite difficult because I didn’t understand a lot, but the more that I played it helped my maths.”
Why This Matters
Bullseye Maths has been around since 2022, drawing a creative link between sport and numeracy to engage learners who might otherwise struggle with traditional methods. The PDC, along with educational partners, uses a mix of online tools — such as games and worksheets — and live school visits to spread the program.
Bringing Sherrock into the mix adds star power and inspiration. Many children see footballers or celebrities endorse projects, but this time, they witnessed someone from sport teaching them — and nothing boosts confidence like that.
The Ripple Effect
For those kids who had never thought math could be fun, this was a revelation. For other students who already enjoyed numbers, it validated their interest in a creative way. For teachers, it offered a fresh tool to bring excitement into lessons. And for Sherrock, it reinforced her belief that sport and education don’t have to exist in silos.
The visit was more than a PR stunt — it was a heartfelt effort to spark curiosity, confidence, and connection. If this experiment at Summerfield is anything to go by, more schools should expect a darts-board in their math lessons soon.
