Gorse Academies Trust and University of Leeds team up to open maths centre of excellence in the city

A new centre of excellence for post-16 mathematics teaching and learning is to be opened in Leeds by The Gorse Academies Trust in formal partnership with the University of Leeds.
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The specialist school will educate 250 16-19 year olds, who will each study A Levels in further mathematics and mathematics, alongside a range of other subjects including physics, chemistry and computer science.

Leeds Mathematics School will act as a beacon of excellence for the Leeds city region and beyond ensuring pupils of all backgrounds have an opportunity to study mathematics at the very highest level.

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At the core of the new college’s work will be an outreach programme in primary and secondary schools focused upon developing excellence in mathematics in younger pupils.

A new centre of excellence for post-16 mathematics teaching and learning is to be opened in Leeds by The Gorse Academies Trust in formal partnership with the University of Leeds.A new centre of excellence for post-16 mathematics teaching and learning is to be opened in Leeds by The Gorse Academies Trust in formal partnership with the University of Leeds.
A new centre of excellence for post-16 mathematics teaching and learning is to be opened in Leeds by The Gorse Academies Trust in formal partnership with the University of Leeds.

Leeds Mathematics School will also play a pivotal role in delivering on several of the Leeds Enterprise Partnership (LEP) objectives after it identified a need to close the high level skills gap that currently exists against a UK national average.

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“The case for an advanced-level mathematics school in our city is compelling. The Leeds city region economy is the largest outside London and the UK’s largest manufacturing centre.

“As one of the first multi-academy trust to be given the go-ahead to open a mathematics school, in partnership with The University of Leeds, this approval presents an outstanding opportunity to ensure that highly numerate students receive the highest quality, specialised post-16 education on offer. This will include programmes delivered by the university’s top academics.

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“The end result will be 125 students a year, who will have the necessary skills and education to go on to study at prestigious universities, as well as securing jobs in key sectors within the region as highlighted by the LEP.

“I am also incredibly excited about the role the Leeds Mathematics School will play in raising the standards of mathematics amongst all children and young people in the city, regardless of their social background. Our strategy is to develop confidence in mathematics and raise attainment among primary school pupils from age seven onwards and for all secondary school students. Simply focusing on high-quality mathematics education at 16 is too late.”

Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to extend our outreach work across the education community in Leeds, encouraging talented young people from under-represented groups to make the most of their abilities.

“Inclusion, access and student success are at the heart of our work at Leeds. This partnership with the Gorse Academies Trust will, we hope, enable greater diversity in the student STEM cohort and will be a beacon for exceptional attainment in Leeds, inspiring others.

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“We also look forward to the insights offered from working closely with the Trust, particularly around the transition journey from school to higher education.”

Schools Minister, Baroness Berridge added that the Leeds Mathematics School took the government another step forward towards opening a maths school in every region.

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