A-Level Results August 2026
Outstanding A-level results mark the end of an era at Liverpool Mathematics School
The 54 students at the University of Liverpool Mathematics School (ULMaS) are celebrating another outstanding set of A-level results, as founding headteacher Damian Haigh prepares to retire after leading the school since it opened in 2020.
Almost two-thirds of all A-level entries were awarded A* or A grades, with 83% achieving grades A* to B. Three in ten entries received the highest grade of A*, and seven students achieved straight A* grades.
The results represent continued excellence at ULMaS: since its first cohort sat examinations in 2022, the school's average grade has remained consistently at or above A-, establishing ULMaS as one of the highest-performing state sixth forms in the country.
The proportion of entries awarded A* or A rose from 58% to 62%, while 59% of students achieved at least AAB in facilitating subjects, an increase of seven percentage points. More than two-fifths of the cohort achieved three or more A* or A grades.
Students performed particularly strongly in Mathematics, where 81% of entries were awarded A* or A and 96% achieved grades A* to B. In Further Mathematics, 53% of entries received A* or A grades. Half of Computer Science entries and 53% of Physics entries were awarded A* or A.
Among the school’s highest-achieving students, Freddy Rowlands gained four A* grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. He also achieved Grade 1 in both STEP papers and will read Mathematics at Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge. Freddy has been a mathematics enthusiast from a young age and has competed with enthusiasm and talent in many mathematical challenges whilst at school: we expect him to thrive at Cambridge.
Retiring Headteacher Damian Haigh congratulates Alex Bickerton. Alex achieved A*A*A grades and will read Mathematics at Jesus College, University of Oxford. Recently he has been studying with emeritus Professor Peter Giblin of the University of Liverpool to take his learning well beyond the A-Level curriculum.
Joseph Parry achieved A*A*A* and will read Materials Science at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. His contributions to the school have been broad ranging - including musical performances and productions along with enthusiastic participation and leadership across many other aspects of school life.
Jenna Fairclough and Ollie Darwin
Jenna, a former Leader of the ULMaS Student Cabinet, achieved grades A*AA and will study Economics at Durham University. She said:
“I first found out about the Maths School when its teachers visited my school through the Garnett Academy outreach programme. That visit opened up an opportunity I might otherwise never have known about.
“I have relished my time at ULMaS. I’ve been challenged academically, made some wonderful friends and had the opportunity to represent the student body as Leader of the Student Cabinet. I’m delighted with my results and very excited to be going to Durham University to study Economics.”
Ollie achieved A*AA and is planning to take a gap year to explore some exciting business opportunities.
While the vast majority of students plan to study mathematics, physics, computing or engineering at leading universities, students will be exploring a range of different career routes including airline pilot training, musical theatre and dance, degree apprenticeships and entrepreneurship.
Ali Zavery. Ali achieved A*AA and will be taking a Degree Apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. Degree apprenticeships are proving to be an increasingly popular and prestigious route for students with strong A-Level grades.
Eleanor Todd. Eleanor achieved A*A*A and will read Computer Science at the University of St Andrews
Yaw Sakyi-Gyinae. Yaw achieved A*A*A and will read Computer Science and Mathematics at Durham.
Henry Bedford and Deputy Headteacher Dave Hemsley look to the future. Henry achieved A*A*A* and will read Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh.
Gabriel Nabong achieved A*A*A* and will read Engineering at The University of Edinburgh. Harry Williams achieved A*A*A* and will read Mathematics at University of Liverpool.
Donald Kwong and Jaycee Yuen - 6 A* grades between them. Donald achieved A*A*A* and will read Physics at Imperial College, London. Jaycee achieved A*A*A* and will read Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Birmingham.
Safiya Rasulova achieved A*AB and is heading to the University of Bristol to read Mathematics.
Damian Haigh, founding headteacher of ULMaS, said:
“These are excellent results, and the students deserve enormous credit for them. They have combined formidable mathematical and scientific ability with persistence, curiosity and generosity towards one another. It has been a privilege to watch them develop, and I am delighted that their hard work has been recognised today.
“I am delighted by the range of paths our students are taking. Many will continue into mathematics, science, computing and engineering degrees, but their interests and abilities extend well beyond this. The greatest reward of leading the school has been seeing our young students develop so rapidly in their self confidence, teamworking, communication and entrepreneurial skills in the two years they spend here.
“The consistently excellent results achieved since the school opened in 2020 can be attributed to an exceptional group of teachers and support staff. Outcomes of this quality do not happen easily. They reflect expert teaching, careful pastoral support and a school culture in which the enjoyment of learning and research is shared and celebrated.
“This is my final results day as headteacher, and it is an emotional occasion. When we opened the school in September 2020, we walked into a building which we had been unable to access beforehand because of Covid restrictions and spent the first week simply making it ready to welcome students. We had no established routines, no examination record and no certainty about what further disruption the pandemic might bring. Our founding students were beginning their A-level studies after months of lockdowns and unprecedented interruptions to their education. Six years later, the school has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted, named State Sixth Form College of the Year and established a consistent record of exceptional academic results. More importantly, we have helped hundreds of talented young people develop the confidence, knowledge and ambition to flourish at university and beyond. Since opening in 2020, more than 200 students have progressed from ULMaS to leading universities and demanding STEM degree courses across the UK, including the universities of Liverpool, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Durham, Edinburgh and St Andrews.
“I am immensely proud of what our students, staff, trustees, university partners and supporters have built together. The school now enters its next chapter in excellent hands, and I look forward to seeing it continue to flourish.”
Dr Kathleen Johnson, Chair of Trustees, said:
“As Chair of Trustees I am delighted with yet another set of excellent results. I would like to congratulate the students and thank all of the staff for the challenge and support that they continue to provide. Our students are heading to a wide range of exciting destinations across the country to study at top universities or to embark on exciting degree apprenticeships. We celebrate the achievements of all our students; each reflecting their own unique strengths, interests and aspirations. I would also like to thank the founding headteacher for his dedication and enthusiasm; he created a wonderful school which is ready to progress to the next chapter of its life.”
Incoming headteacher Dan Vickery said:
“I am immensely grateful for all the hard work and dedication of all of the staff and students at the school. They should all be proud of their achievements. I look forward to hearing about the amazing careers these students develop in the future”
ULMaS opened in September 2020 to provide a specialist education for mathematically able students from across Liverpool City Region and the wider North West. Alongside Mathematics and Further Mathematics, students study Physics and Computer Science and take part in an extensive programme of mathematical and scientific enrichment, university engagement and outreach. ULMaS was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024, and named the Sunday Times and Times Sixth Form College of the Year for 2026. These results mark the fifth set of excellent examination outcomes for students at ULMaS.
