Talented South West young mathematicians celebrate top A-level results
A total of 82 per cent of exams taken at the Exeter Mathematics School were A*, A or B and 64.8 per cent were A* or A
The South West’s most talented young mathematicians are celebrating A-levels success.
A total of 82 per cent of exams taken at the Exeter Mathematics School were A*, A or B and 64.8 per cent were A* or A.
The specialist sixth form is the only specialist Maths School in the South West and is sponsored by Exeter College and the University of Exeter.
It 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.
The lifechanging opportunities offered by teachers are also helping to boost the STEM skills of children throughout the South West.
Headteacher Kerry Burnham said: “We are very proud of our students and all they have achieved. They have worked so hard. They will forever remain a part of the Exeter Mathematics School community.”
Ayomide Fakiyesi scored all A* or A grades and is taking a gap year before heading to university to study physics in 2026. Ayomide arrived in the UK from Nigeria three years ago after his mum moved to Devon for a new job and taught himself his GCSEs at home to gain a place at the school.
Ayomide said: “This is the best school I’ve been to so far. The teachers are so encouraging and always support us to try something new. They help us explore maths in more detail rather than just teaching us to pass exams.”
Cory Stevens, from North Devon, is heading to the University of Bath to study maths after achieving all A and A* grades. He joked he has also achieved an “A* in table tennis” after playing the game so much while boarding at the school.
Cory said: “Boarding has been great. The past two years have been as much about the close friendships I’ve made, and table tennis, as it has about studying.”
Anthea Wong is off to study at the University of Edinburgh after achieving all A* grades and had a double celebration as she was also marking her 19th birthday.
Anthea said: “I’m proud of myself, I’ve given myself a very good birthday present! I’ve had such a nice experience over the past two years and it has been a time of personal growth. I’ve tried a lot of new things and managed them. I’ve combined work with a lot of extracurricular activities such as choir, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, maths mentoring and a running club.”
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.
