The third specialist mathematics school in England and the first in the North of England, University of Liverpool Mathematics School opened in September 2020 as a purpose-built haven for students with genuine mathematical passion. Located on the university campus in the Sir Alastair Pilkington Building, this state-funded sixth form offers 80 places annually to talented mathematicians aged 16-19 from across Merseyside and beyond. What sets this school apart is not just the calibre of its teaching or its placement in the top 2% of sixth forms in England (FindMySchool ranking), but rather its explicit commitment to identifying and nurturing talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Half of each teaching week involves staff fanning out across the most deprived parts of the region through the Go Further outreach programme, deliberately seeking mathematicians and scientists who might never otherwise discover their potential. The result is a small community of approximately 95 exceptionally motivated young people, many of whom will go on to elite universities and STEM careers.
The school occupies a contemporary university building rather than a traditional school campus, which shapes the atmosphere in distinctive ways. Students move between teaching spaces used by both undergraduates and sixth formers, creating a degree-level working environment from day one. The physical setting is uncluttered and purposeful. Damian Haigh, who has been headteacher since the school's opening in 2019, describes the place as joyful to work and study in. Inspectors visiting in March 2024 noted that students are extraordinarily keen to achieve, demonstrating positive attitudes to learning with attendance that is exceptionally high.
The culture emphasises intellectual curiosity and collaboration over high-pressure competitiveness. One Ofsted inspector noted that students enthuse about the nurturing culture fostered by staff, saying they can be themselves and grow as individuals. This ethos extends beyond mathematics into pastoral support. Matthew Donoghue, the school's BACP-accredited counsellor with seven years' experience, works individually with students and provides staff guidance on supporting young people facing difficulties. His office is described by many as transformational.
The school's composition reflects its outreach mission. Students come from state schools across Merseyside, many from postcodes with limited STEM opportunity. Financial support ensures all can access educational visits. This combination of academic rigour and genuine inclusivity creates something rare: a school that is simultaneously elite in outcomes and egalitarian in values.
The school's examination performance is exceptional. In 2025, 87% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-A-B. Breaking this down, 33% achieved A* (compared to an England average of approximately 11%), 40% achieved A, and 15% achieved B. These figures place the school in the elite tier nationally.
The school ranks 66th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it in the top 2% of sixth forms nationally. Locally within Liverpool, it ranks first. This consistency reflects not a pressure-cooker environment but rather the careful curation of a curriculum and teaching approach designed to enable deep understanding. Head of Mathematics Colin Thomas and Head of Physics Dr Aurora Gutierrez-Sosa lead departments where teaching is rigorous and expectations are consistently high, yet stress levels remain manageable.
The curriculum specialises in four A-levels: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. All students study at least mathematics and one other subject from this core. Head of Computer Science Steve Wentworth, who brings 40 years of programming experience from roles in the financial sector, oversees an ambitious computer science programme. Physics is led by Dr Aurora Gutierrez-Sosa, who conducted research at CERN and the University of Oxford before discovering her passion for teaching. This depth of expertise permeates the curriculum.
Beyond the standard specification, the school delivers degree-level mathematics. Students encounter STEP preparation, olympiad mathematics, and university-style problem-solving. The Aspiring Mathematician Programme offers additional breadth, with students choosing extended topics that deepen their engagement with mathematical thinking.
In February 2025, the Department for Education published performance data identifying the school as one of the highest-performing institutions in England for value-added. This measure (progress made by students relative to their starting point) placed ULMaS in the top tier nationally, indicating that the school is exceptionally effective at developing its students beyond their entry attainment.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
87.02%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
In 2024, 88% of leavers progressed to university. The remaining 12% comprised 3% entering apprenticeships and 3% entering employment directly, reflecting careful career guidance from Fred Fortune, an independent careers adviser with 20 years' experience who works on-site.
Of the cohort, one student secured a place at Cambridge, part of a small but consistent pipeline to Oxbridge. In the measurement period, the school received 20 applications to Oxford and Cambridge, resulting in one offer and one acceptance. 92% of Year 13 students have applied for and received offers at Russell Group universities for STEM-related degrees, many at highly prestigious institutions. Common destinations include Imperial College London, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick.
Beyond the destination universities, what matters is the preparation. Students leave equipped for advanced STEM degrees. Many are pursuing subjects like theoretical physics, aeronautical engineering, and computer science at the UK's leading institutions. The school's explicit aim is to produce tomorrow's industrial and academic researchers, innovators, and wealth creators in the STEM fields.
Teaching at ULMaS follows principles grounded in cognitive science and educational research. Headteacher Damian Haigh, who holds a Cambridge degree and has taught Further Mathematics for over twenty years, has led the school to adopt evidence-based approaches to memory, learning, and effective instruction. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build deep understanding progressively.
Class sizes average around 14 students, allowing for personalised attention. Teachers provide detailed feedback on written work and engage in Socratic questioning to develop mathematical reasoning. Samuel Canham, a mathematics and computer science teacher trained at Cambridge, specialises in bridging pure and applied mathematics, often preparing students for advanced competitions like STEP and the British Mathematical Olympiad.
The school explicitly rejects the notion that high attainment requires stress. Instead, it cultivates intellectual enthusiasm. Students describe a culture in which they feel motivated to learn more, tackle harder problems, and collaborate with peers to find elegant solutions. Inspectors confirmed that teaching is delivered expertly and in a way that highly motivates students.
Friday afternoons are dedicated entirely to enrichment, personal development, and recreation. This deliberate structuring reflects the school's holistic approach. Clubs and societies represent approximately 15-20 active groups, many student-led.
The Quantum Club explores quantum mechanics at degree level, covering topics including the Schrödinger equation and the quantum harmonic oscillator, with mathematics as the foundation. The Cryptography Club begins each year with the National Cipher Challenge, moving through classical ciphers (Vigenère, Hill), cryptanalysis techniques (Index of Coincidence), and modern asymmetric encryption (RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography). The Recreational Mathematics Club offers pure mathematical exploration beyond the curriculum. The Anime Club, run by Samuel Canham, attracts anime enthusiasts. Role-playing games and board games clubs meet during Friday enrichment, covering everything from Warhammer to Catan.
Women in STEM, one of the largest groups in school, is supported by Head of Physics Dr Aurora Gutierrez-Sosa and Head of Outreach Maria Bennett. The club plans events to attract female students into STEM and provides a supportive community. History Club, started and run by students, demonstrates that deep expertise can be developed in subjects studied outside the formal curriculum. The Debating Club uses British Parliamentary format and is led by James Thompson, a debating expert, alongside Deputy Headteacher David Hemsley.
Friday afternoon sports draw on partnerships with Sport Liverpool and include indoor football, netball, badminton, volleyball, and dodgeball. Back at school, students participate in yoga and Just Dance. The school acknowledges it is not large enough for competitive team sports with other sixth forms, but many students pursue individual sports outside school (sailing, running, basketball). The Chess Club, co-run by National Master Roger Williamson, provides strategic challenge and camaraderie. Meditation sessions run during lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the school's dedicated Wellbeing room.
Michael Prescott, Head of Mathematics, oversees the Gold Duke of Edinburgh programme. The practice expedition typically takes place in the Peak District around Easter, with the qualifying expedition in Snowdonia in early July. Gold-level participants develop expedition planning, personal resilience, and outdoor skills.
The Student Cabinet functions as the school's student union and council. Elected representatives organise fundraising, improve school conditions, and lobby leadership on issues students wish to change. This agency reflects the school's trust in its young people.
ULMaS is highly selective. The school receives applications from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Entry is through an aptitude test designed to identify mathematical reasoning and problem-solving ability, rather than speed or procedural fluency. The test has been redesigned to reduce tutoring advantage, though preparation remains common among serious candidates.
In 2024, approximately 2,200 young people sat the entrance test for 80 places, representing a competition ratio of roughly 27 applicants per place. The school prioritises students from disadvantaged backgrounds and state schools. Around half of each cohort comes from families with limited prior experience of STEM education.
The school operates as a free school, funded by the Department for Education. There are no tuition fees. The school provides financial support to ensure all admitted students can access educational visits and extracurricular activities regardless of family income.
The school is located at Sir Alastair Pilkington Building, Back Bedford Street, Liverpool L69 7SH, on the University of Liverpool's central city campus. The nearest mainline railway station is Liverpool Lime Street, approximately 1km away (15 minutes' walk) or accessible by bus. Merseyrail stations (Liverpool Central and Edge Hill) are within similar distance. Multiple bus routes serve the campus; the dedicated University service 699 provides direct connections to the student villages.
School hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm, reflecting the intensive STEM curriculum and extended teaching day. Friday afternoons shift to enrichment at 1:30pm when formal teaching concludes. There is limited parking on campus, though visitor parking is available nearby.
The school has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and education programmes. Particular praise was given to pastoral support and safeguarding arrangements. Deputy Headteacher David Hemsley is the designated safeguarding lead, and arrangements for safeguarding are confirmed as effective by the inspection.
Beyond safeguarding, the school invests substantially in student wellbeing. Matthew Donoghue, the school counsellor, provides individual and group support. Teachers receive training in supporting neurodiverse learners through work with SEN Consultant Siobhan Doyle. Form tutors meet regularly with their tutees to discuss academic progress and personal development. Supervision sessions are available for students who need additional help with specific concepts.
The school emphasises that high achievement need not come at the cost of staff exhaustion or student stress. Headteacher Damian Haigh has explicitly committed to helping students achieve excellence in ways that don't leave the team permanently exhausted. This philosophy informs timetabling, workload expectations, and the deliberate investment in Friday enrichment as a counterbalance to intense weekday study.
Entry is highly competitive. With approximately 27 applicants per place, acceptance is not straightforward. The aptitude test identifies mathematical reasoning, but competition remains fierce. Families should have realistic expectations about selection chances. The school's geographical draw spans the entire Liverpool City Region and beyond, meaning some students face lengthy travel times.
The curriculum is narrowly specialised. Students study only A-level Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. There is no breadth in humanities, languages, or arts. This suits those with a clear STEM trajectory but may feel restrictive for students uncertain about their direction or seeking broader options.
The school is very new. While the 2024 Ofsted inspection was Outstanding and the school has performed consistently well, it has not yet produced multiple cohorts reaching university and beyond. The long-term outcomes data, while promising, is still limited. Early leavers have performed exceptionally well, but the track record is shorter than established sixth forms.
The school actively seeks students from disadvantaged backgrounds. While this is a genuine strength, it also means some cohort members will have travelled from neighbourhoods with limited prior STEM support. The inclusive culture requires all students to support one another in a community that values diversity of background.
University of Liverpool Mathematics School represents a distinctive model: state-funded excellence combined with a genuine commitment to access. The teaching is rigorous, the outcomes are exceptional, and the culture is inclusive without compromising ambition. For students with genuine mathematical passion who want to study at degree level alongside university researchers and PhD students, this is a compelling option. The school ranks in the elite tier nationally, offers free education, and is genuinely invested in identifying talent wherever it exists.
Best suited to mathematicians aged 16-19 from across Merseyside with strong reasoning and problem-solving ability, a commitment to hard work, and a desire to study at a leading university in a STEM field. The main barrier to entry is competition. For those who secure a place, the education is exceptional.
Yes. The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2024 in all areas, including quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. In 2025, 87% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-A-B, and the school ranks 66th in England for sixth form performance (FindMySchool ranking). In 2024, 88% of leavers progressed to university, with 92% of those attending Russell Group institutions for STEM degrees.
Entry is highly competitive. Approximately 2,200 students sat the aptitude test in 2024 for 80 places, representing a competition ratio of approximately 27 applicants per place. The school uses an aptitude test designed to identify mathematical reasoning and problem-solving ability. Admission is open to students from state schools across the Liverpool City Region.
The school specialises in four A-level subjects: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. All students study Mathematics or Further Mathematics. The curriculum includes the Aspiring Mathematician Programme, which offers extended topics and degree-level mathematics, including STEP preparation and olympiad training. There is no breadth in humanities, languages, or arts.
Yes. This is a state-funded school with no tuition fees. The school provides financial support to ensure all admitted students can access educational visits and extracurricular activities. Students come from across the Liverpool City Region, including many from disadvantaged backgrounds. The school actively works to remove financial barriers to access.
The school runs approximately 15-20 clubs and enrichment activities. These include the Quantum Club (quantum mechanics), Cryptography Club (classical and modern encryption), Women in STEM, Debating Club, History Club, Role-playing Games and Board Games clubs, Chess Club (co-run by a National Master), and the Student Cabinet (student council). Sports include football, netball, badminton, volleyball, and dodgeball through Sport Liverpool partnerships. The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme runs at Gold level. Friday afternoons are dedicated entirely to enrichment, personal development, and recreation.
In 2024, 88% of leavers progressed to university. 92% of those attended Russell Group universities for STEM-related degrees. Common destinations include Imperial College London, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Warwick. One student secured a place at Cambridge in 2024. The school provides high-quality careers education through an on-site independent careers adviser with 20 years' experience.
The school has an on-site BACP-accredited counsellor who provides individual and group support. Safeguarding arrangements are rated as effective by Ofsted. Form tutors meet regularly with students to discuss progress and development. The school provides supervision sessions for students requiring help with specific concepts. Meditation sessions run during lunchtimes. Headteacher Damian Haigh has explicitly committed to supporting students in ways that don't leave staff or students permanently exhausted, reflected in the careful timetabling and Friday enrichment structure.
The school is located at Sir Alastair Pilkington Building, Back Bedford Street, Liverpool L69 7SH, on the University of Liverpool's central city campus. The nearest mainline railway station is Liverpool Lime Street, approximately 1km away (15 minutes' walk). Merseyrail stations (Liverpool Central and Edge Hill) are within similar distance. Multiple bus routes serve the campus, including the dedicated University service 699. School hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday afternoons devoted to enrichment.
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