Being named ‘Sixth Form College of the Year for Academic Excellence’ for two years running is testament to the commitment, talent, and hard work of both our students and staff. These results demonstrate the impact of specialist maths education and the benefits of a supportive, focused learning environment.
Head Teacher Timothy Bateup
05 December 2025
King's Maths School ranks top of the table in Sunday Times Parent Power Guide
For the second year running, King’s College London Mathematics School (KCLMS) has been named ‘Sixth Form College of the Year for Academic Excellence’ in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, the guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.
KCLMS’s Class of 2025 achieved strong A Level results. In Maths, Further Maths, and Physics, students secured 71% A*, 92.2% A*-A, and 95.7% A*-B grades. On average, students performed approximately two-thirds of a grade higher per entry than predicted by national data.
A notable 42% of leavers went on to study at Oxford or Cambridge, with the majority of other students progressing to competitive universities including Warwick, Durham, Bath, UCL and King’s.
Alongside KCLMS, the University of Liverpool Maths School, a sister school within the U-Maths network, is also recognised in the guide, earning the prestigious title of ‘Sixth Form College of the Year’.
U-Maths is the national charity for University Maths Schools – a network of 16-19 state schools that immerse students in the challenge, creativity and life-changing opportunities of maths and maths-related subjects. Founded by and closely linked to leading universities, these schools offer a specialist STEM curriculum.
Mr Bateup added: “We are incredibly pleased for the University of Liverpool Maths School’s accolade too. These achievements underscore the exceptional teaching, dedication, and accomplishments across the U-Maths network, further highlighting the vital role that all schools in the U-Maths network play in equipping the next generation of STEM leaders to succeed at university and beyond.
“We are proud of what our community has achieved and excited for what lies ahead in 2026."
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.
Helen Davies, Editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide
Opened in September 2014 in partnership with King’s College London, KCLMS aims to provide opportunities for students with an aptitude and passion for mathematics, particularly those from backgrounds currently under-represented in the mathematical sciences.
KCLMS has achieved a number of milestones since its founding and has sustained an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted in all inspections – the most recent in September last year. Inspectors noted that “the quality of teaching is exceptionally high” and that students “grow into confident, articulate scholars who are well prepared for demanding undergraduate courses.”
See the full guide here: The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.
To find out more about KCLMS click here.