Cambridge Maths School opens its doors in Mill Road
A new sixth form school dedicated to the study of maths and sciences open its doors in the city for the first time this week.
Cambridge Maths School’s declared aims are to shape future leaders in the fields of maths and science as well as “making a difference in society both nationally and globally”.
The new sixth form is situated on Mill Road in Cambridge welcomed 45 students into Year 12 to study maths and further maths, as well as either chemistry, biology, physics or computer science.
Plans for the new free school have been in the works since 2016 when headteacher Clare Hargraves heard about other maths schools opening in the UK.
Ms Hargraves said: “I read an article about the King’s Maths School in London and went to visit. I was really inspired by what I saw and by the atmosphere and the engagement opportunities.”
At the time there was an opportunity to apply to open a free school, so she began working on the project with colleagues from the Eastern Learning Alliance academy trust.
“The decision to launch the school in Cambridge was about finding a gap, it was about building a new exciting opportunity. We’re working with local industry, as well as university colleagues to build this different and exciting new idea. We’re also working closely with other maths schools in the country and using the things that they found that have worked really, really well.
“It’s great to be able to meet the new staff who are incredibly excited about the opportunity and to be able to meet so many young people who applied to the school. It’s a real honour to find myself in this position.”
What makes the sixth form unique in Cambridge is that not only will the students focus their studies on maths and science, they will also be given classes on problem-solving, mirroring a university tutorial system.
In addition, they will be expected to work on a research project designed by experts from academia or industry. The aim of the project is to encourage creative thinking about the application of maths.
Ms Hargraves added: “I've set my career teaching maths, so I’m absolutely passionate about it.”
Although the school does have links with the University of Cambridge, the head is at pains to point out that there is no automatic route to Oxbridge.
She said: “This isn’t a fast track to Cambridge University. But what we do have is we have a really bespoke curriculum. So because the students are learning maths and further maths as a single subject, they will be able to really drive that fluency and nimbleness of thought. And we will be preparing everybody for a university entrance exam.
“Cambridge has one of the most challenging university entrance exams, so that’s a good bar to aim for. But there’s no expectation that they will focus on a particular institution.”
The school opened its doors for the first time on Thursday (September 7).
