Teachers and experts celebrate South West’s teenage maths stars

Impressive young mathematicians from the South West have been honoured for their brilliant work investigating the universe’s most pressing problems at a special ceremony.

The event was held to mark their graduation from the pioneering specialist school, which is helping to boost the STEM skills of children throughout the region.

The life-changing opportunities offered by the Exeter Maths School include a unique curriculum which 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. They were awarded their certificate during the ceremony at the University of Exeter.

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

This year students completed projects on topics including architecture, rally cars, whether you can pause time, Formula One, LED lighting, behavioural economics, probability, winning at a family games night, and what would really happen if the moon was made of cheese.

The Exeter Maths School, which has 128 sixth form students, is sponsored by Exeter College and the University of Exeter and specialises in Mathematics, with all students taking A Levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and either Physics, Computer Science or both.

Bursaries are available to support students to board if they live too far away to commute daily.

Joe Walker, from Exeter, plans to go on to study for a degree in data science. As part of his Exeter Mathematics Certificate project he built a game which trains people to improve their poker skills using reactive opponents.

Joe said: “I’ve always been interested in maths. At primary school I went to coding club and I’ve been so lucky to have the facilities at the Exeter Maths School. The teaching and curriculum sets us up so well for the future.”

Donny Greig, from Exeter, investigated if maths could help shed light on if there are other civilisations in the universe.

Donny, who is going on to study physics with astrophysics, said: “I’ve always liked analysing patterns. For me physics is the best part of maths. I love the way it helps us understand the world around us and how everything came to be.

“This school is the best place I could have gone. It’s helped me grow and really investigate the things I’m most interested in such as astronomy, computer science and quantum mechanics.”

Sian Canning-Matthews, from North Devon, investigated “what is time” for her project. She is going on to study maths and philosophy. Sian is one of the group of Exeter Maths School students who board nearby during the week.

Sian, who is a keen surfer, said: “The school provides so many opportunities, and teachers are there to support you to follow your interests. I don’t think I would have been able to reach this level of learning anywhere else.

“Boarding has been really good and has been such good preparation for university and the future.”

Xanthe Budden, from Bristol, also boarded and praised the social aspect of school life: “I’ve loved boarding. It has been a great opportunity to build my independence and there’s such a nice atmosphere.

“It’s been brilliant to spend time with people with similar interests. Everyone is so curious, lovely, and interested in learning.”

Professor Gihan Marasingha, a maths expert at the University of Exeter and Exeter Maths School governor, spoke at the event. He said: “It’s inspiring to see the wonderful work Exeter Maths School does and I’m very proud of all the pupils. I hope whatever they do in the future they take the same sense of freedom, curiosity and thoughtfulness which has been instilled in them by their incredible teachers.”

Guest of honour at the ceremony was Dr Eugenia Cheng, a mathematician, educator, author, public speaker, columnist, concert pianist, composer and artist.

Dr Chen said she was “deeply moved” to witness students’ achievements. She spoke about her life and unusual career, and how maths was deeply embedded in issues about social justice, not separate from politics. She praised the role of specialist maths schools like Exeter in giving access to the subject.

She said: “I spend a lot of time with young people who don’t like maths and I don’t think I have ever seen anything which resonates so strongly with what I believe about the subject. Not everyone gets to go to an amazing school like this where you can be nurtured.”

Exeter Maths School headteacher Kerry Burnham said: “It is wonderful to celebrate our fantastic students. We are incredibly proud of their approach to learning, their depth interest and willingness to explore the unfamiliar and new.  We hope they will always be a part of our school’s community.”