The latest batch of pupils to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma at St Leonards have come through their exams with flying colours.
55 Upper Sixth Form (S6) students gained the diploma, scoring an average of 32 points in the process, equivalent to 435 UCAS points and more than 5 As at Higher Level and more than 3 A*s at A Level.
Eight pupils scored more than 38 points, thereby achieving the minimum entrance requirements for Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and the St Leonards cohort also outperformed the 2009 Diploma worldwide average of 30 points.
With 45,000 youngsters across the globe receiving their results today, the IB Diploma is very much an international qualification, a point illustrated by the fact that 30 of the St Leonards students obtained Bilingual Diplomas, indicating fluency in at least two languages.
The two year course is also widely seen as providing the ideal preparation for university and, having excelled in their final tests, that’s exactly where the students are headed with destinations including Cambridge, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Munich and Boston.
Leading the way with 43 points was Sophie Cole from Newport whose score will put her in the top 0.75% of worldwide candidates.
Sophie, who is off to Bristol to study French and Spanish, said, “I’m really happy. It has been a tough couple of years but it’s been worth it.
“I’m glad I’ve got such a good qualification behind me. I think it will make university life easier as the IB teaches you how to write essays and to be organised.”
Kenneth Reid from St Andrews was also celebrating after scoring 38 points. After spending time working in France, Kenneth will be going on to university.
He said, “I was always planning on taking a gap year but after that hopefully I will have some good university offers to consider.
“There’s no grade inflation with the IB so it will stand the test of time and prove that I can perform at a high level.”
Dr Michael Carslaw, Headmaster at St Leonards, was understandably pleased with the results of the third group of students to complete the qualification at the St Andrews school.
He said, “I’m delighted that our pupils have performed so well.
“These excellent results are both a reward and a testament to the hard work that the students, and their teachers, have put in over the past two years.”
He added, “A recent survey of admissions tutors has confirmed that the IB is the most highly rated pre-university qualification for its ability in preparing students best for undergraduate study.
“I’m delighted that our leavers will now be going on to universities throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and indeed across the world.
“The IB is the platinum standard.”