Our ethos – Freedom for thinkers
What could be more creative than exploring the secrets of the universe?
At Exeter Mathematics School we love getting our teeth into the mind-bending challenges and revelations of Maths, Physics and Computing. So we have set about designing the perfect environment for this special kind of creativity to thrive.
That means minimising the things that often stifle enthusiasm for our favourite subjects – classmates who don’t care; lessons that are just about passing exams. And it means bringing together a really eclectic, intrepid group of students who share our enthusiasm and have the grit to get stuck in.
Our special formula has three key ingredients…
No-one needs forcing to do anything – you wear what you like, work with teachers as equals and build the confidence to pursue the ideas that really interest you without the normal scaffolding you would expect in sixth form study.
We push you further – with awesome teaching, opportunities to work with top University of Exeter academics and loads of big, baffling, open-ended (and sometimes unsolvable) questions.
And you’re part of one big family – we’re close-knit and we all know each other, so even when you’re boldly exploring new horizons, you’re looked after every step of the way.
Our pioneering formula got a resounding thumbs-up from Ofsted. But the verdict that matters to us – because we hear it direct from students and parents – is that, by freeing up our students to explore the subjects they love inside out, we get to change their lives.
Our Values
At EMS we value
Everybody
We take care of each other and put people at the heart of decision making. Our community is built on acceptance, with each person of equal worth. We embrace our differences whilst enjoying our common interests. We look for the good in ourselves and others. We are kind.
Mistakes
We embrace mistakes. We understand that they are an essential part of the route to success. When we are learning something new, we know that we’re likely to make more mistakes. We recognise that mistakes can be good and can signal that learning is taking place. We will be patient and kind to ourselves and others as we learn from our mistakes.
Honesty
Honesty builds trust and enables our community to flourish. It leads to greater freedom and a positive culture.
Endeavour
Learning something new or working out how to do something better can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. There’s always something to strive for and often effort is its own reward. We embrace challenge, aspire to achieve and seek out opportunities to learn.
Openness
We are curious. We explore new ideas and are prepared to change our minds. We value a broad range of opportunities and welcome the growth that comes from new experiences.
Joy
We take delight in what we do and the people we do it with. We laugh, we chat, we work, we play – all of which bring pleasure and joy. The journey is as important as the destination and we intend to have fun along the way.
Who are we for?
Really anyone. At least, anyone who enjoys maths. Our students come from right across the South West from a whole range of backgrounds and have a broad range of interests from sport to music, from art to debating. We celebrate that diversity whilst enjoying the common interest we share in the mathematical sciences.
The majority of our students come from non-selective state schools and most definitely do not consider themselves to be geniuses. The key to their success is enthusiasm for the subjects they study, embracing one another to form a supportive community and being prepared to be challenged in a new way.
If you’re interested in applying but not sure if this is the right place for you, we recommend you explore this website and then sign up for a taster day or open event to get a real sense of what we’re all about.