Registrations now open for Year 7 and Year 9 entry for September 2026
The 1729 Maths School will be the UK's first specialist maths school for pupils aged 11-18, educating boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 13, regardless of family income. For the first time in the UK, our unique school will be identifying and nurturing mathematically talented young people from the age of 11.
Our school’s ability to offer places regardless of family income comes from the unique way it is funded: a partnership between Mill Hill Schools and Purposeful Ventures, a non-profit organisation working towards a fairer society where all young people thrive. Through Purposeful Ventures, the 1729 Maths School has been initiated and is funded by Alex and Elena Gerko, major supporters of maths education and research in the UK.
Alex Gerko and Elena Gerko said, ‘Specialist sixth-form maths schools have already shown just how far exceptional young mathematicians can go when they are stretched and supported. But mathematical talent does not begin at 16. By launching the 1729 Maths School for pupils from Year 7—and underpinning it with one of the most generous bursary programmes in the UK—we will spot ability earlier, remove financial barriers and give gifted children the deep, rigorous education they deserve.’
The UK’s first post-16 specialist maths school opened in 2014. The success of these schools has shown a glimpse of what can be achieved with a maths-focussed education for pupils with natural talent.
In the UK, there is a dramatic drop-off in maths enjoyment, confidence and achievement among pupils once they leave primary school.
By creating a dedicated environment for naturally talented young people from the start of secondary school, the 1729 Maths School’s aim is to identify, nurture and develop world-class mathematical talent from an earlier age.
Our 1729 Maths School, based in north London, will offer places to those who deserve them: family income will never be a barrier for pupils to thrive at the school. Partially and fully funded places are available.
Located within our stunning 120-acre Mill Hill School campus in north London, our 1729 Maths School will offer an outstanding and rigorous maths-based education, complemented by a broad curriculum and an extensive co-curricular offering that comes from being part of the Mill Hill Schools family.
Our Founding Head of 1729 Maths School is Nick Hamshaw. He will be supported by David Benson, Head of Mill Hill School and Dr Susannah Abbott, Head of Belmont, Mill Hill Prep.
‘I am thrilled to be the Founding Head of 1729 — a school unlike any other, purpose-built for children with exceptional mathematical potential. We’re building a place where extraordinary mathematical minds can flourish and where curiosity lies at the heart of everything we do. Children who thrive at 1729 will be those with an insatiable appetite for new ideas, a natural ability to think in new and different ways and a fascination with challenging, unsolved problems. They will thrive when working independently and will grow when communicating and collaborating with like-minded peers.’ Nick Hamshaw, Founding Head, 1729 Maths School
‘We are looking forward to welcoming pupils from Year 7 into our environment at Belmont that will nurture their mathematical talent while fostering personal growth, allowing them to excel both as mathematicians and as individual children.’Dr. Susannah Abbott, Head of Belmont, Mill Hill Prep.
‘If the 1729 Maths School is the right project at the right time, then Mill Hill is the right place: I am delighted that we were selected to launch this incredible initiative. 1729 pupils will be offered a specialist maths curriculum and alongside this, they will benefit from the existing excellent and broad academic and co-curricular offering of Mill Hill.’ David Benson, Head of Mill Hill School
‘It is a real privilege to be building out the unique ‘school within a school’ concept, working with our incredible partners in Mill Hill Schools and Purposeful Ventures. The project exudes excellence, from the funders’ vision to the existing culture of Mill Hill Schools to the experience that our world-class advisors are bringing. 1729 Maths School will be just the place for the UK’s finest young mathematical talent.’Andy Roberts, Founding COO, 1729 Maths School
‘Launching 1729 reflects our commitment to giving young people the best start in life. As part of our growing portfolio of initiatives to improve STEM education in the UK, 1729 will deliver a truly life-changing opportunity for talented young mathematicians, irrespective of their background and family income. We are proud to bring together world-class educators and mathematicians to deliver this unique and exceptional education.’ Tom O’Beirne, Director of Delivery, Purposeful Ventures
Registration is open
1729 Maths School is currently welcoming families to register interest for Year 7 and Year 9 entry in September 2026. A full admissions process will begin in September, with a selection of written and oral assessments at the school that ensure a meritocratic approach to identifying and supporting exceptional young mathematicians. There will also be a full onboarding programme for pupils to feel a sense of belonging to our unique school.