Knowledge Quarter maths college to open by 2020

The University of Liverpool has announced plans to build a mathematics college as part of the Knowledge Quarter by 2020, although its exact location has yet to be revealed.

The University said the new college would be the first of its kind in the North of England, following similar schools opened in 2014 by the University of Exeter and King’s College London. Due to open in 2020, the college will have the capacity to take 80 pupils per year, and has been backed by the Department for Education.

An announcement of its exact location is expected in the Autumn, with the University’s only hint so far being that it will be “located within the Knowledge Quarter at a location close to the University campus”. The University declined to reveal further details, citing a non-disclosure agreement with the Department for Education.

However, it is understood the college will be new-build, rather than the college moving into existing buildings within the University or the Knowledge Quarter.

The college will be run in partnership with local schools and will have a focus on maths, further maths, and physics, with other subjects including computer science and music also under consideration.

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, said: “From the very first meeting it was clear see the level of opportunity that a new maths school would bring to the city region and where best to position it than within a global innovation district, with a world-leading university.

This partnership provides more evidence to the growing importance of the knowledge economy and to the future prosperity of the people of Liverpool.”

Janet Beer, vice-chancellor at the University of Liverpool, added:  “The University of Liverpool Mathematics College will be a hub for the most able young mathematicians in the Liverpool city region so they can develop their knowledge and skills through the study of maths and related subjects.

“In today’s global economy, it is essential that the UK develops the potential of our most talented maths students and this initiative is a much needed response to that challenge.”

Last year, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced an £18m fund to support maths colleges, with the University’s new college set to benefit from £350,000 per year, which can be used to support student outreach programmes.

Other education projects in the Knowledge Quarter include Kaplan’s £28m international college, currently being built by Kier opposite the University.