A NEW flagship mathematics school will open in Durham in 2022.

The only one of its kind in the region, the school will take in students from County Durham, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, as well as the North Yorkshire coast, Cleveland and Cumbria.

The specialist state-funded school has been approved by the Department of Education and will be delivered by Durham University and Durham Sixth Form Centre.

It is hoped that the school will lead to an increase in applications from students to study mathematics and other STEM subjects at university or pursue STEM-related careers.

The Durham Mathematics School will teach post-16 students from a range of schools – with a particular focus on recruitment in areas where current provision for post-16 mathematics is limited.

The school will also deliver outreach projects and development opportunities for mathematics teachers.

Professor Alan Houston, Vice-Provost (Education) at Durham University said: “We are committed to creating a school which will open opportunities for all students, teachers and schools.

“We want to ensure that all young talented people in our region have the chance to thrive in STEM subjects – and that they will benefit from a creative, inspiring education which enables them to reach their potential – whatever their ambition may be.”

Those behind the project say the new school will “act as a beacon, raising teaching standards, attracting the brightest teaching talent to the region, and creating opportunities for many young people”.

A site is yet to be confirmed, but the school will be located in Durham City with easy access to the university and Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Weekly boarding will be available. Ellen Beveridge, headteacher at Durham Sixth Form Centre, said: “The school will be well-placed to benefit from the wealth of opportunities offered by Durham Sixth Form Centre and a world-class university.

“Both inside and outside the curriculum, students will be challenged to explore mathematics in creative ways, and supported fully to reach their potential.”

Students of the Durham Mathematics School will study A-levels in mathematics, further mathematics, computer science and/or physics, with the option to select a fourth subject from a variety offered by Durham Sixth Form Centre.

The school follows others across the country including Exeter Maths School and Kings College London Mathematics School, with further maths schools planned for Cambridge, Liverpool and Surrey.