Harry Richardson (University of Leeds) – Mathematics Schools in England: A Qualitative Study into Curriculum and Pedagogy

In 2024, Kings College London Maths School and Exeter Maths School celebrated their 10-year anniversary. King’s Maths School also achieved an average grade of A*, the highest academic result in England, topping the school academic rankings for three consecutive years. The school is part of a growing number of mathematics schools in England designed to help the best performing and most enthusiastic young students in STEM subjects to progress to have mathematically intensive careers.

Yet despite rapid growth and academic success, there is little research on these schools, students’ experiences and their progression through these schools and beyond.

This study is the first study to offer a comparative review of a selection of maths schools’ curricula and pedagogy in a qualitative study using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, following students as they progress from Year 13 and their journeys beyond school-predominantly into university and if and how going to a maths school has benefited students.