Cambridge Maths School

[Netcam]

DS2 has been offered a place at the new Cambridge Maths 6th form that is opening in September. He is really excited about it and I wondered if there is anyone else on here with teens intending to go. Also, is there anyone whose teens have attended any of the other Maths Schools such as Kings, who could share their experiences.

Congrats! My two both went to/go to KCLMS. It's definitely a 'safe space' for maths nerds, and the pastoral care seems really good. Lots of the students are non-neurotypical so they make big efforts to make social and sporting activities as inclusive as possible. The teaching, in the main, is fantastic and because the year groups are small (75 at King's I think) everyone knows everyone. Lots and lots of regular testing and exams, and quite a lot of homework, but they also make a huge effort to introduce a wide range of cultural activities - homework for the first Christmas holidays was 'read a novel' and they regularly drag them off to the theatre or to art galleries. Definitely a 'school' not a 'college' - Y12s aren't allowed off site during free periods and the expectation is that they sit in a quiet area at school and work. Brilliant support for uni applications as well as some v competitive apprenticeships.

As a non-mathlete I find it all totally adorable tbh (eg one of the sports options is wandering around Imperial War Museum gardens for a couple of hours) and they've done really well by my two, who've both made strong friendships there. I think there are some parents on MN whose kids go to the Exeter and Liverpool ones. I suspect the Cambridge one will do really well - is it being sponsored by the university?

@PacificState thanks so much for your reply, really good to hear how well yours have got on. Cambridge University are involved and the interview and open evening were held there so we got to have a look round one of the colleges, which was very impressive. Relief to hear there are likely to be lots of other neurodiverse students, DS2 should fit in very well if that is the case. That would explain why he spent the whole of the open evening talking to his new 'friends' he met who had come from Kings Maths School to do presentations. It was like he'd finally found his people and his place.

Sounds great. And yes I think that 'finding your people' thing is a huge part of the intent - DS1 had that experience and still feels really affectionate about the school despite having left it a few years back. They definitely spur each other on - DS1 is v good at maths, no slouch, but from the first day at king's he knew there were some pupils there who were really exceptional and he surprised me by being totally ok with that. They are very good at encouraging them to work cooperatively and in teams (which apparently is how a lot of scholarly maths is done in academic settings - the lone genius thing is not the norm.)

Hey, I saw this post and made an account to also say that I got a place at the school - is there any way of communicating with your son, e.g. through discord or insta?

Great news, just replied to your message.

Just wanted to know if the Maths School will open in September. It looks far from ready. Hope it will work out for you op

Well, my son has a place and went to the induction day, so I hope so.

My son says its more ready than people think it is, hes grown close with the teachers and he made sure to speak with everyone he could on the open day, students included - but thats probably because he wants to be chair on student council

That's amazing. I think it's such a fabulous opportunity for these youngsters. I couldn't believe it when we found out about it as it seemed like the perfect place for DS2, he is quite excited.

Also, because of strong links with the university, I'm sure some interim space there would be found if for any reason the opening of the new building were to be delayed. They did that for the induction day and it was fine.

Hi Netcam,

My daughter is thinking of starting at the Cambridge Maths School, and I just wondered what your son thought of it so far?

It is such a worry sending her to somewhere that has only just opened, but it looks great so far and my daughter looks happy with the idea of a smaller group and she thrilled with the aptitude tests - any excuse to practice maths!

I wish I could send you a message, but haven’t figured how to do this here yet.

He absolutely loves it, he is really thriving there and is having an amazing time. I feel privileged that we have this opportunity. The lessons are really engaging, the teachers are fantastic, they go far beyond the A level syllabus and maths lessons always have STEP questions for those who have finished the A level content. They also have an afternoon of sports at Kelsey Kerridge and he has joined the Dungeons and Dragons after school club, as well as the debating society. In fact today (Saturday) he is at an inter-school debating competition in Cambridge. They also visit Cambridge colleges for lectures sometimes and he is doing dofE as well as going on a trip with them to Kenya in the summer. I think there were 500 potential applicants at the open evening he helped out at, so if there is any concern it is that there will be a lot of competition for the 40 places. I think anyone who gets a place will have a great time, I have visited a couple of times and it has a great atmosphere full of engaged, brights kids and helpful staff.

Thank you so much for the reply. That is a load off my mind. I am so happy that he likes it there, but wow - what competition to get a place!

Oh well, fingers crossed.