Alan

Why did you choose ULMaS for your A-Levels?

My former Head of Year brought me for a visit here in Year 11. I liked the teachers, most of all how passionate they are about teaching. What stood out to me the most was that there are lots of projects and the subjects all fit together and connect to each other rather than being completely separated like they normally are in other schools.

Which school were you at before you came here?

I was at St Thomas More Catholic High School in Crewe. My biggest worry was the thought of having to travel from Crewe everyday but it turns out that it's easier for me to get to school than it is for some of my peers who live much closer to school. The school helps me with the cost of transport as well.

Are you a maths genius?

I enjoy maths deeply, not because of any innate genius, but because of the incredible variety of applications I've discovered at ULMaS. I'm particularly drawn to the more numerically intensive topics and often find myself spending more time with maths problems than those in other subjects.

Which A-Levels did you take?

I'm still taking all 4 courses: Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Physics.

What else did you get involved in while you were here?

I've enjoyed the group projects as part of AMP and I've also taken part in Inversity AI coding competitions and presented solutions to a variety of audiences. I feel much more confident in my presentation skills now, as well as becoming a competent coder and mathematician. I've enjoyed the school visits, CERN being an example, and I'm also in the book club which acts as a nice counterbalance to the STEM-intensive curriculum.

Have you enjoyed your time at ULMaS? What kind of student does this school suit?

I've made lifelong friends here whilst working harder than ever before. I would say that it suits any student who enjoys the subjects taught here. At ULMaS, you are likely to gain an entirely new perspective on learning. It also helps if you're willing to get involved with some of the brilliant opportunities outside of the curriculum. After having attended ULMaS, I feel more confident about going to uni with all of the things that are offered to help me develop not just in academics, but also in terms of personal growth and practical skills.

What are you doing next?  How did your time at ULMaS prepare you for this?

I have applied to study computing at university and, having learned pure maths as well as coding through completing a number of projects, I think I'm well prepared for a university computer science course.

What are your top tips for future students following in your footsteps?

Come and visit the school as many times as you can. Meet the teachers and the students, and get involved in the outreach programme. At some point, you will figure out whether ULMaS suits you or not. Once that happens, you can apply for a place and you will get invited in for STEM Saturdays, taster days, and online courses too.