U-Maths Network Convenes at Aston to Shape the Future of Specialist Mathematics Education, May 2026

Leaders and educators from across the UK’s specialist mathematics schools gathered at Conference Aston, Aston University, on Thursday 30 April, for the U-Maths Network Day. The event marked a pivotal moment for the network, blending high-level strategic planning with a deep dive into the evolving landscape of national mathematics education.

With representatives from all 11 specialist maths schools in attendance, the day served as both a collaborative think-tank and a formal governance assembly aimed at strengthening the impact of these unique institutions.

A Vision for the Next Era

The morning session, Strategy: the next few years, focused on the emerging mission of U-Maths. Attendees engaged in table discussions to dissect a new 3-5 year strategy designed to solidify the network’s influence. The goal is clear: ensuring that university-sponsored maths schools continue to act as engines of social mobility and academic excellence.

A centerpiece of the morning was a high-profile panel discussion chaired by Maggie Dallman (Associate Provost, Imperial College London). Featuring Jen Shearman (Chief Executive Officer, MEI), Christie Marr (Executive Director, Academy for the Mathematical Sciences), Helen Drury (Dean of Mathematics Excellence, Purposeful Ventures), and Damian Haigh (Headteacher, University of Liverpool Maths School), the panel explored the critical role maths schools play within the wider UK education ecosystem, particularly in bridging the gap between secondary education and high-level STEM careers.

Spotlight Updates: Curriculum, Growth and Quality

The afternoon shifted focus to a series of Spotlight Sessions, providing rapid-fire updates on the most pressing developments in the sector:

• The National Curriculum Review: Lynne McClure OBE (Chair of Governors, Cambridge Maths School) provided a deep dive into the 2026 National Curriculum Review. 
• Progress in Durham and Nottingham: The network continues to expand. Ellen Beveridge (CEO, Providence Learning Partnership) shared progress on the Durham Maths School, which aims to provide a high-challenge environment for the North East. Similarly, Lisa Walton (Deputy CEO, East Midlands Education Trust) updated the network on the development of the Nottingham Maths School, set to become a regional hub for STEM excellence.
• Navigating the New Ofsted Framework: Clare Hargraves (Headteacher, Cambridge Maths School) shared first-hand insights into navigating Ofsted’s latest inspection framework. 

Unity and Ambition: A New National Chapter for U-Maths

The day reached its plenary session which echoed with shared purpose and optimism. The room moved from the what and the how to the why – reflecting on a day that had brought mathematical minds and educators together.

The closing discussion moved beyond the internal mechanics of individual schools to embrace a bold, unified national identity. With 9 schools now forming the backbone of the network and new sites in Durham and Nottingham on the horizon, the plenary highlighted that U-Maths is no longer just a collection of regional projects; it is a national movement.

“There is a unique energy when you get this specific group of people in one room,” Ellen Beveridge reflected. “We do not work in silos. Today proved that we have the scale, the evidence and the passion to drive the national agenda for mathematics. The future isn’t just coming – we are actively building it.”

As the event drew to a close, the next steps were not just items on a list, but a shared commitment to excellence. Attendees departed Birmingham not just with the making of a 5-year strategy, but with a renewed sense of pride in a network that is quite literally shaping the mathematical future of the nation.