King’s Maths School (KCLMS), which is run is partnership with King’s College London, has been named as the Best State Sixth Form School of the Decade by The Sunday Times School’s Guide. The Guide identifies more than 1,600 of the highest-achieving state and independent schools in the country.
Based in King’s home borough of Lambeth, the purpose is to provide high-quality mathematics education for students with a particular aptitude and enthusiasm for the subject and aims to widen participation in mathematical degrees and careers at the very best universities and institutions.
KCLMS has been recognised for this highly ambitious vision to provide an education for the best young mathematicians, many from London and with some traveling from across the country. The school offers opportunities for learners who may not otherwise have access to high-quality mathematics teaching, whilst achieving exceptional results.
Students take A-levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics, as well as an AS in either Computer Science or Economics. The students’ results topped the tables of the School’s Guide with 90.3 per cent of pupils achieving at least AAB at A-level in Maths and two or more subjects.
The curriculum combines mathematics with physics and computing to give students the key understanding and skills they will need to go on to study mathematical courses at universities and prepare them effectively for successful careers. The school has been praised by The Sunday Times for showing better than any other free school what can be achieved.
KCLMS also runs a number of outreach programmes to support students from underrepresented groups to unlock their maths potential and boost attainment. This summer, the school welcomed 40 Year 7 and 8 students as part of the King’s Maths Circle programme and almost 100 students took part in the PHYSICS+ summer school which saw classes delivered by KCLMS alumni and King’s College London lecturers.
The win comes as the Department for Education (DfE) recently announced that universities will be required to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children by driving up education standards in schools and colleges in their local communities. KCLMS is just one example of King’s commitment to opening up opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
With the help of funding from XTX Markets and Man Group, KCLMS has been able to develop and offer an extended curriculum, ensuring the school can enable students to achieve outstanding academic outcomes. This funding has also ensured a supportive culture for its staff, who are recognised as one of the key driving forces behind its success.
In 2017 KCLMS won The Sunday Times’ State Sixth Form College of the Year award and ranked at the top of the league in its School Guide.