Our story

Exeter Mathematics School is an Ofsted outstanding, state funded, 6^th form school, jointly sponsored by the University of Exeter and Exeter College. Opened in September 2014, the school is open to students from across the South West. We also work extensively with students and teachers in other schools, inspiring enthusiasts for Maths, Physics and Computing across the region (more information on our South West activities pages).

Our Mission

To raise the aspirations and achievements of mathematically able young people in the South West of England.

Our Vision

Students will leave EMS well prepared for their next steps, having been challenged, inspired and supported to excel.  They will have a palpable enthusiasm for learning, the confidence to face challenges and the skills to equip them to succeed.

We will inspire and nurture a love of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science in younger students and will support teacher development in the South West of England.  EMS will be a beacon of excellence, contributing to educational research and the development of pedagogy, and an active partner in the collaborative network of Maths Schools. 

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.

Latest Prospectus

Our latest prospectus will give you a snap-shot of what we’re all about but we also recommend you have a good browse through our website for lots more information: EMS-Prospectus

Catchment Area Expansion from 2026

Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire students will have access to EMS

A network of maths schools is springing up across England but Exeter remains the only maths school in the South West. We think it is important that all students in the South West have access to a maths school, just as they do in London and other parts of the country. Following two consultations, you appear to agree.

We’re delighted to share that we are now able to welcome applicants across the whole of the South West (Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire) to join the school from September 2026. To meet the likely demand for places we are slightly increasing our year group size from 64 to 75. Our new boarding building is also due to open in 2026/27 which will provide even better facilities for those for whom a daily commute is not feasible.

If you’d like more information about applying, take a look at our admissions pages or email admissions@exeterms.ac.uk.