Exeter Mathematics School
The original — open since 2014, with weekly boarding and the only results history that runs a decade deep.
Exeter Mathematics School was one of the first two university maths schools in England, opening in 2014 as a partnership between the University of Exeter and Exeter College. It is the only school in the network confirmed to offer boarding — weekly, for students who live too far away to commute daily — which matters given how large its catchment is. From September 2026 that catchment expands from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset to add Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, alongside a rise in the annual intake from 64 to 75 students.
Key facts
- Status
- Open
- Location
- Exeter, Devon
- Region
- South West
- Age range
- 16–19
- University sponsor
- University of Exeter
- Co-sponsor / partner
- Exeter College
- Opened
- 2014
- Capacity
- 128 students
- Current roll
- 127 students (2025/26); admission number rises to 75/year from September 2026 (capacity 139)
- DfE URN
- 140971
- Website
- exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk
Admissions
- GCSE requirements
- Grade 8+ in Mathematics (a Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics is accepted as equivalent); Grade 7+ in Physics, or Grade 8+ in Combined Science, or Grade 8+ in Computer Science if not taking Physics; Grade 5+ in English Language or Literature; six GCSEs overall at grade 5+.
- Entrance test
- A non-calculator maths paper pitched not to exceed National Curriculum Level 8, designed to test problem-solving and potential rather than curriculum mastery — the school says applicants are "expected to get stuck."
- Interview
- A roughly 3–3.5 hour visit: a group maths lesson taught by staff, a pastoral interview (about an hour), and an open-book written assessment based on the lesson (45–90 minutes).
- Deadline
- For September 2027 entry: applications close Wednesday 7 January 2027, entrance test Saturday 6 February 2027, interviews Saturday 6 March 2027, conditional offers Friday 13 March 2027, acceptance deadline Monday 22 March 2027. (The September 2026 cycle closed 7 December 2025 and its waiting pool is full.)
- How to apply
- ems.applicaa.com/apply26 — see exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/
Full admissions page for Exeter Maths School →
Subjects
Required: Mathematics, Further Mathematics
Plus one compulsory further subject from Physics or Computer Science (both can be taken as a fourth); an optional additional A-level is available via Exeter College's wider curriculum.
Boarding & travel
- Boarding
- Offered
- Boarding detail
- Weekly (Monday–Friday) boarding for students whose one-way commute would otherwise exceed about an hour. Costs £13,470 for 2026/27, all-inclusive. Means-tested bursaries taper the cost: households under £30,805/year pay just £836/year (food only); £30,806–£39,752 pay 10% of fees; £39,753–£46,143 pay 20%; £46,144–£49,084 pay 40%; above £49,085, full fee applies. A new boarding house is planned for 2026/27 to support the expanded catchment.
- Travel support
- Runs a subsidised travel scheme: every student pays the same flat cost regardless of home location (including boarders), typically covering one specified return route — it does not cover secondary "feeder" transport such as a bus to a station. A separate means-tested 16-19 Bursary is also available. Exact flat-rate cost is not published.
Catchment
Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset historically. From September 2026 entry this expands to add Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Out-of-area applicants are only considered with firm, funded relocation plans.
Results
| Year | % A* | % A*–A | % A*–B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 64.8% | 82% |
| 2024 | — | 71% | 85% |
| 2023 | — | 58% | 78% |
| 2022 | — | 67% | 87% |
2025: Progress score +0.23.
2024: Progress score +0.44.
Destinations
For 2025, the school's own results page cites 9 students securing Oxbridge places, while a separate source puts it at 4% of the cohort — the two don't reconcile from what we could find, so both are reported rather than one being picked. Separately, 93% of leavers progress to higher education or training, including 66% to Russell Group universities (year not fully confirmed). Sources conflict
Ofsted
- Rating
- Outstanding — full inspection, and Outstanding again (all three categories) in a follow-up boarding-provision inspection
- Date
- Full inspection 12–13 March 2024 (published 8 May 2024); residential/boarding provision separately re-inspected 5–7 November 2025
- Report
- Read the report
Culture & ethos
No school uniform, and students and teachers are expected to work as equals. The school's motto is "Freedom for Thinkers." Most students come from non-selective state schools rather than grammar or independent schools. Alongside A-levels, students take "Curriculum X" enrichment and can work towards the Exeter Mathematics Certificate (EMC); Year 13 students are prepared for MAT and TMUA from October, moving into STEP II/III preparation, with UKMT Challenge participation encouraged throughout.
Leadership
Kerry Burnham (founding headteacher, in post since the school opened)
Compare Exeter Maths School
Sources
- 1.Exeter Mathematics School — official site — https://exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/
- 2.Weekly boarding, costs and bursary bands — https://exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/weekly-boarding/
- 3.How to apply / entry requirements — https://exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/
- 4.September 2026/27 entry and catchment — https://exetermathematicsschool.ac.uk/september-2026-entry/
- 5.Ofsted report, March 2024 (PDF) — https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50246382
- 6.Results and destinations coverage, Aug 2025 — https://news.exeter.ac.uk/uncategorized/talented-south-west-young-mathematicians-celebrate-top-a-level-results/
- 7.DfE Get Information About Schools — URN 140971 — https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/140971