South West’s keenest mathematicians celebrate top A-level results

The South West’s keenest mathematicians are celebrating securing top A-level results and places at the country’s most prestigious universities.

A total of 85 per cent of the pupils at the pioneering Exeter Mathematics School achieved A*, A or B grades, and 71 per cent A* and A grades.

The specialist sixth form offers A-levels in STEM subjects, including further maths, which are taught in more depth and rigour. Pupils also get industry experience and complete university-level extended academic projects and can study for other subjects at Exeter College.

The unique school is home to 127 pupils from across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall. Those who live too far away to commute can live in the school’s residential provision on weekdays.

This year marks a decade since it opened to pupils and the lifechanging opportunities offered by teachers are helping to boost the STEM skills of children throughout the South West.

Stanley Rimmer, who achieved three A* and one A, will study pure maths at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Stanley, from Braunton, who is a keen volleyball and golf player and boarded at the school, said: “I love the problem-solving aspect of maths, knowing it will always become more difficult. I was nervous waiting for my results, I knew I had done ok but it was just a case of whether the grades would be good or really good. Now I’m excited about starting at Oxford.”

Pip Lindenbaum, from Ilfracombe, achieved two A* grades and two A grades and will study natural sciences at Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Beth Myton, from Exeter, achieved four A* grades and an A and will study biochemistry at Wadham College, Oxford. She said: “I’m really happy, but now my brain is shot. It was very difficult studying for five A-levels, I wouldn’t recommend it, but I had to take on biology to be able to study biochemistry at university. I’m very pleased with myself.”

Beth, who was a student at Colyton Grammar, hopes to pursue a scientific career researching the connections between hormones and type 1 diabetes.

A total of 62 Exeter Mathematics School students took A-levels this year and they are going on to universities including Exeter, Warwick, Durham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Lancaster, Bath, Bristol and Southampton. Eight so far are going on to Oxford or Cambridge. Two are going on to do degree apprenticeships.

Headteacher Kerry Burnham said: “We are delighted for our students and what they have achieved. They have worked extremely hard and it has been a privilege to have taught them for the past two years. They will remain part of our special Exeter Mathematics School community and we look forward to hearing about their future endeavours.”

The specialist curriculum at the Exeter Mathematics School goes well above and beyond that normally experienced by sixth form students. All pupils complete the Exeter Maths Certificate, which provides challenging and enriching experience of research, university-style study and Industry experience.

The Exeter Mathematics Certificate curriculum was recently praised by Ofsted for helping young people to develop their mathematical interests by producing project work of exceptional quality.

Since the school opened the uptake of young people studying the Further Maths qualification in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset has increased by 77 per cent, 78 per cent and 88 per cent respectively – over 10 per cent more than the average for England. It is sponsored by Exeter College and the University of Exeter.

Teachers carry out substantial outreach work to boost maths skills in the region, including residential summer schools, courses to upskill teachers from other schools and workshops on computational thinking.