Durham Sixth Form Centre CEO Trustees Attends Launch of the University Maths Schools Network (U-Maths) at the House of Commons, October 2025

Trustees of Durham Sixth Form Centre, were invited to attend the launch of the U-Maths network at the House of Commons, hosted by The Baroness Alison Wolf of Dulwich DBE on Wednesday 15 October 2025.

The event featured contributions from Alex Gerko (CEO of XTX Markets and founding supporter of U-Maths), Members of Parliament, school representatives, and alumni, bringing together voices from across education, industry, and policy.

The evening celebrated the achievements of the University Maths School programme and looked ahead to an ambitious shared vision for excellence and equity in mathematics education across all 11 Maths Schools (including Durham and Nottingham whose progress has been slowed by the Labour government review of Free School).

The timing of the launch also supported the recent findings of the Observatory for Mathematical Education (OME):

• Maths School pupils are more diverse, in terms of sex and socio-economic status, than pupils studying A level Further Mathematics in other settings.
• Maths School pupils are significantly more likely to achieve an A* in A level Mathematics compared to similar pupils in other settings. The ‘value added’ by Maths Schools is even greater for A level Further Mathematics.
• Maths Schools help to keep more of their pupils in the mathematics ‘pipeline’ for longer, with significantly more pupils progressing to mathematical sciences degrees and mathematically intensive STEM degrees than their counterparts in the matched control group.
• The uplift in A level mathematics grades is highest for under-represented ethnicities (0.76 grades), those with low socio-economic status (0.6 grades) and female pupils (0.36 grades).
• These three groups also progress to mathematically intensive STEM degrees at a higher rate from Maths Schools than equivalent pupils in other settings.
• The proportion of Maths School pupils who enrol at Oxbridge is almost twice the national average for A level Further Mathematics pupils, and significantly higher than the matched control group for enrolling at the 10 universities with the highest STEM entry tariff.

Reflecting on the event, Ellen Beveridge, Chief Executive said:

“It was a privilege to attend the launch of the University Maths Schools Network and to hear from so many inspiring contributors.

The need for the Durham Mathematics School is strong and compelling; the curriculum is distinctive and has been proven to be effective; the impact on the region, both educationally and economically, will be positive; and the school represents good value for money. These facts have been recognised by school leaders, local authorities, and employers.

The event highlighted the vital role of collaboration and ensuring that opportunities in STEM education are open to all.”