Mathematics
Mathematics at The Perse Sixth Form is intellectually ambitious, combining outstanding teaching with deep mathematical thinking, creative problem-solving and preparation for advanced study. As well as mastering A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, students are encouraged to explore the ideas, patterns and structures that make mathematics one of the most powerful ways of understanding the world.
Learning beyond the specification
Students are taught by highly knowledgeable and passionate mathematicians who enjoy exploring challenging concepts well beyond the A level curriculum. Students’ individual interests are followed by exploring applications of mathematics in other subject areas. Lessons encourage curiosity, logical reasoning and mathematical resilience, helping students develop the confidence to tackle unfamiliar problems and communicate complex ideas with precision.
The department provides exceptional support for students studying Further Mathematics, alongside tailored preparation for university entrance tests including STEP and TMUA, making it an excellent choice for students considering Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Economics and other mathematically demanding degree courses.
Enrichment and mathematical exploration
A wide-ranging enrichment programme allows students to deepen their understanding of mathematics beyond the classroom. Students can join the Maclaurin Society, Olympiad Club and advanced problem-solving sessions, where they explore university-level mathematics, tackle challenging questions and engage with ideas that extend far beyond the examination specification.
There are also opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills. Maths Ambassadors support younger pupils in lessons across the Upper School, while students involved in Primary Maths Enrichment help inspire and encourage primary-aged mathematicians as they begin their own mathematical journeys.
The department further enriches learning through lectures, competitions, guided research opportunities and university-style problems, demonstrating how mathematics underpins cutting-edge research, technological innovation and many unexpected areas of intellectual life.
University preparation and future pathways
Mathematics develops precision, abstraction, logical reasoning, resilience and the ability to model complex situations. These skills provide outstanding preparation for university courses in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Data Science and many other disciplines, while also supporting applications across the sciences, social sciences and beyond.
Former Perse mathematicians have gone on to successful careers in fields as diverse as journalism, NHS leadership, logistics, engineering, finance, academia and aviation, frequently reflecting on the value of the mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills they developed during their Sixth Form studies.
Recent highlights
Perse mathematicians achieve exceptional success in national competitions. In the most recent British Mathematical Olympiad, Perse students were awarded two medals, three Certificates of Distinction and 13 Certificates of Merit, reflecting the department’s strength in developing talented young mathematicians. Many of our female students take part in the Maths Olympiad for Girls, and two were recently awarded Medals. In the UKMT Maths Competition for Girls, Perse students achieved the top score in the East of England for two years in a row. Two Perse teams recently reached the second round of the prestigious MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge), following a top-ten national finish the previous year.
Assessment details
Examinations take place at the end of the Upper Sixth
Single maths students sit two 2 hour pure examinations and one 2 hour mechanics and statistics paper.
Further mathematicians sit these 3 papers and in addition take two 1.5 hour further pure papers, a further mechanics paper and a further statistics paper.
The examining board is Edexcel.