On 5 July, 5,201 UK students received their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme results.
This marks a 5.64% increase in UK students taking the IB from last year. More than 623,000 exam papers were processed, in 72 languages.
Dr Siva Kumari, the IB’s director general, said: “Higher education institutions and employers alike are telling us we need young people who can collaborate, communicate and think critically while creating new knowledge. Research suggests that an IB diploma prepares students with these skills.”
Sevenoaks School
At 224 students, the 2019 cohort at Sevenoaks School is the largest it has taught so far. It is also amongst the biggest of UK and global IB schools. This year students achieved an average diploma score of 39.3 points – around 10 points above the world average. 15 students achieved the maximum 45 points.
Dr Katy Ricks, outgoing head, said: “It’s wonderful to celebrate again another cohort’s success in the IB, the global gold standard of education. Our students will proceed to the world’s best universities and go on to make an outstanding contribution to society.”
King Edward’s Witley
The majority of King Edward’s Witley sixth form pupils take the IB and this year they achieved a 100% pass rate, with an average score of 34.5 points – above the worldwide average of 30 out of 45. Head girl Gabriella Brantley scored 42 points and will study law at UCL.
Headmaster John Attwater said: “I am delighted for our students that these results reflect their hard work and dedication and that of our teachers. Especially in these turbulent times the IB’s reputation as a global-facing gold standard in world education has never been more important in demonstrating that our pupils are among the best in, and ready to engage with the rest of, the world.”
Bedford Girls’ School
The IB cohort at Bedford Girls’ School have exceeded the worldwide average, with one third achieving 39 or above, and 93% of all higher-level papers awarded a 7-5 (A*-B A-level equivalent).
Some of the girls’ next adventures include studying biological sciences at the University of Edinburgh, taking up a rowing scholarship at the Southern Methodist University in Texas and studying journalism at the University of Brighton.
Jo MacKenzie, headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School, said: “The girls have acquired great skills and attributes, which will serve them exceptionally well in the next stage of their education and into the working world.”
Felsted School
Felsted once again achieved a 100% pass rate and maintained its three-year average of 34 points, five points above the world average. Felsted’s top performer was Olga Adhikari, age 17, a full boarder from Poland, who achieved a score of 43 out of 45. She hopes this will secure her offer to read Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Homerton College, Cambridge University.
Headmaster Chris Townsend said: “Thanks to the ethos and breadth of their education, they are well prepared to go out into the world and make a real difference. I would like to congratulate all the students and wish them every success in their futures.”
Malvern College
Around half the college’s sixth form took the IB and a quarter of them achieved 40 points or over, placing them in the top 3% in the world. Giampietro Ghidini, 18, achieved 45 points, placing him in the top 0.01% of all IB candidates worldwide.
IB co-ordinator, Stephen Holroyd, said: “My congratulations go to our IB pupils on their outstanding results this year. They have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these excellent scores and done themselves proud.”
Haileybury
Haileybury’s sixth form pupils have secured places at universities in 12 different countries after scoring an average of 36.2 points in the IB. Just under 90% were graded 5, 6 or 7, the equivalent of A*/B at A-level, and just under 60% were graded 6 or 7, the equivalent of A*/A at A-level.
Saskia Verkaik scored top marks with 45 points. She said: “I am extremely happy with my results; I can’t quite believe it! It’s great to see that all the hard work has finally paid off. I will now enjoy my summer holidays and can’t wait to start my physics degree at the University of Nottingham.”
Independent Education Today extends its congratulations to all pupils and schools involved with the IB.
