The cohort applying for university entrance in 2025 is our fourth cohort. In summer 2024 A-level results, 32% of grades were A*and a further 40% were A grades. 58.5% of students achieved 3 A or A* grades.
The estimated grades for the summer 2024 cohort are based on past papers taken in June of 2024. Students took full A-Level papers for Mathematics GCE and AS-Level papers for Further Mathematics GCE, Physics GCE and Computer Science GCE. Some students were entered for external examinations in AS Physics and AS Computer Science. For internally marked examinations we apply the awarding bodies’ marking criteria and grade boundaries and then use historical data to make accurate predictions about future achievement. Some of our students are improving rapidly from lower GCSE results, and are expected to achieve high grades in A-Level. Value-added for A-Level courses at ULMaS measured by ALIS is significantly positive at the 0.3% level of significance.
All students in our school study Mathematics GCE, Further Mathematics GCE, Computer Science GCE and Physics GCE in Year 12. Students may take AS Computer Science and/ or AS Physics at the end of Year 12 and are encouraged to move to three subjects at the end of Year 12. A small number of students will continue with all 4 A-Levels but this is not expected because students also follow our Aspiring Mathematician Programme which includes a range of research and challenge activities involving advanced mathematics, physics and computer science. As part of this course they complete individual and group research projects, learning research, collaboration and communication skills as well as exploring mathematical science independently and becoming experts in research areas of their choice. The depth and breadth of this supra-curricular programme will go beyond EPQ for many students.
Our school is a Specialist Mathematics School, the third such school to open in England and the first in the North of England. We are one of 7 Specialist Mathematics Schools. Our approach is similar to that of King’s College Maths School and Exeter Maths School, and we have similar objectives in widening participation in the mathematical sciences and providing an enriched and rigorous foundation for university study for those with the highest potential. See umaths.ac.uk/ for more information.
Our students come from across the Liverpool City Region, the North West of England and North Wales. Many of them come from postcodes that have low progression to university rates and have previously attended schools with low Progress 8 scores and low Ofsted ratings. We work with schools in challenging circumstances and to encourage progress to STEM A-levels and degrees through our outreach programme.
Entry to our Sixth Form requires grade 8 or above in Maths GCSE and Physics/ Combined Science GCSE and five more grade 5 GCSEs, or equivalent. We apply limited flexibility to this where students have faced disadvantage in their prior education. Some students come to us with a relatively poor grounding in mathematics and science but demonstrate their suitability in our interview process. These students catch up rapidly as a result of our highly integrated curriculum which goes beyond A-Levels and explicitly teaches study and research skills as well as additional mathematical and scientific knowledge and skills.
Students who join us from low performing schools normally make rapid progress compared to their peers and are excellent candidates for demanding degree courses despite lower GCSE grades. We would encourage universities to take note where we indicate that a student is currently on a steep trajectory from GCSE to A-Level.
We have 52 students in Year 13.
