Preparation, perspiration and progress: IB and IGCSE Results
02 September 2019
Eleanor Prescott Principal
- 36.6 points (of a maximum of 45) was our pupils’ average score, against the global average of 29 points
- 1.89 was their Core IBDP elements (ToK, EE, CAS) average score, against the global average of 1.22 points
- 72% of all grades were 9-7 (A*-A)
- 51% of pupils achieved eight or more 9-7 grades (A*-A) grades
- 4 pupils achieved ‘a clean sweep’ of nine A* or 9 grades (with one achieving ten)
For the IB pupils, their outstanding scores have secured them the privilege of attending many of the top colleges and universities around the world. With a strong UK showing for this latest group of newly minted Old Wellingtonians, many of their paths lie in the direction of Russell Group universities such as the University College London, the London School of Economics, University of Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Exeter, as well as King’s College London. Others are heading towards the United States, to take up courses at the University of California Berkeley, New York University and other prestigious institutions. Wherever they are headed, we wish them the very best of luck.
For the IGCSE, the strength of the (then) year 11 cohort’s overall academic ability was made clear, as pupils achieved commendable results across the majority or entirety of their subjects, with no single weak point or blind spot. For example, 93% of Chinese examinations resulted in an A*, 78% of Spanish results were a top grade of 9, as were 45% of all English language grades, and 41% of all physics grades. By performing consistently well across the sciences, languages, humanities and sports subjects, they are well placed to start their IBDP course from a position of overall strength.
The reason that this year, as in previous years, our pupils have been successful in gaining offers to attend excellent and exciting universities around the world is so much bigger than their IBDP points score. Behind each individual pupil’s score is a much grander story, made up of the CCAs they attended, the scholarships and fellowships they mastered, the teams they competed in, the life lessons they learned and a million other small but important elements. These are the things, alongside their daily intake of new knowledge and abilities, that give them an edge and will prepare them for the challenges of higher education and whatever waits for them afterwards. Likewise, our new year 12s are similarly ready for the next step in their education path, no doubt emboldened and buoyed by their success.
Results are important, they open doors and serve as handy measurements of progress, but they are indictive of many other things going right in our pupils’ daily school lives. As they learn, grow and think of their futures, we applaud their successes while continuing to spur them on to new and greater achievements.
