The University of Liverpool Maths School (ULMaS) has been named State Sixth Form College of the Year by The Sunday Times in its latest Parent Power schools guide.
The Parent Power schools guide evaluates the 1,000 highest-achieving schools across the UK — including state, grammar and independent schools — based on their most recent public examination results.
World-leading maths education
Opened in September 2020, ULMaS offers a world-leading maths education to talented young mathematicians from all backgrounds across the Merseyside region.
It delivers an innovative and challenging A-level curriculum in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science, as well as the school’s own Aspiring Mathematician and Personal & Pastoral Enrichment Programmes.
Headteacher Damian Haigh said: “Being ranked in this guide as the top state sixth form college is an incredible achievement. I want to dedicate this award to our inspirational staff team and to our energetic, brilliant students, whose hard work and enthusiasm shape the school every day. It is wonderful to receive recognition that reflects what we have achieved together.”
Outstanding results
Since opening in September 2020, the school has achieved consistently high A-Level results. The most recent school performance tables, published in 2025, show that the school achieved some of the best A-Level results in the country in summer 2024.
In the most recent School Performance Tables ULMaS was:
- The highest performing school or college in the Liverpool region (here)
- The highest performing state school or college outside the South East of England (here)
- The value added achieved by disadvantaged students was the third highest of any school or college of any type in the country (here)
In 2024, it was rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and education programmes.
Chair of Trustees, Dr Kathleen Johnson, added: “I am delighted with these results, and I would like to thank all of our dedicated staff and committed students. This award is a wonderful confirmation of what we set out to build — a caring, inspiring community where talented students are nurtured and challenged, and where passionate teachers give their absolute best.”
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 is available to view online: https://www.thetimes.com/best-schools-league-table/secondary/article/secondary-schools-revealed-2026-g9w9n8rqw
It will also be available in print in a 28-page supplement in The Sunday Times on December 7.
ULMaS was the third 16-19 specialist mathematics school in the UK and the first to open in the North of England.
For further details on the University of Liverpool Mathematics School, please visit: https://liverpoolmathsschool.org/ or, on social media: Facebook & Instagram
