It has been a fantastic start to the week for Westminster Academy, as the school celebrates an outstanding set of IB results and university destinations. Over 60% of students have received offers to Russell Group universities, including four students who achieved places at Oxford or Cambridge.

With IB results released digitally across the world yesterday, today the Academy had the opportunity to congratulate students in person on these exceptional results, rewarding them for their hard work and dedication throughout the past two years at the school. The pass rate for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) was 92%, exceeding the global average of 80%. The IBDP is a rigorous programme of study for which students are examined in six academic subjects, as well as the IB Core. It is more commonly taught in private schools, so as a non fee-paying community school, the Academy was delighted to see an impressive five students achieve 40 or above points (out of a possible 45): Annis Coulton, Tomas Finlay Nadal, Ruari Naidoo, Baseer Rajabov and Ronald Stillwell. 

With a phenomenal 44 points, Annis Coulton secured a place at Cambridge to study Natural Sciences. She was attracted to the breadth of the course, noting that it seemed like a natural progression from the IB, and looks forward to deepening her knowledge as she continues her learning in science. Reflecting on her experience in the Sixth Form and the challenges of the past two years, Annis paid tribute to her peers. “We had an amazing cohort to go through it with. Everyone was so supportive.”

Tomas Finlay Nadal achieved 43 points and described the tense experience opening his results online at the weekend - not least because results were delayed due to so many people worldwide accessing the IB results site. “I had to open each result one by one so it was nerve-wracking, but I was really happy with the results.” Tomas will now be taking up a place to study Design Engineering at Imperial, which he hopes will use the range of skills and knowledge he has learned from doing the IBDP. “The fact that the school does the IB opened my eyes to other subjects. I could do art as well as physics and maths. You can’t drop English for the IB and that’s a positive as you still need to know how to communicate effectively; you still need to be able to write a physics essay. Extra-curricular opportunities like the F1 in Schools project have also broadened my horizons and helped with uni applications.”

Ronald Stillwell is one of four WA students who will be taking up places at Oxbridge this autumn. He noted that the number of students admitted to Oxford from the state sector has decreased in recent years, adding, “I’m glad WA isn’t a private school.” A talented wordsmith, Ronald is interested in the variety that English at Oxford will offer, such as learning old English, and the people he will meet. “It will be nice to be around people who are passionate about English.” 

The school’s International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) graduates also celebrated achieving their IB certificates and more exceptional results, with a pass rate of 92% - well above the UK average of 81.4% and the world average of 74.9%. While university offers will be confirmed in August when they receive their Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma results, the IBCP cohort has already received an impressive set of offers for universities around the UK, which include UCL, King’s, Exeter, Queen Mary, and Manchester. IBCP students study a blend of at least two IB academic subjects (English and Maths), the IB Core - which includes modern foreign languages - as well as a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma. IBCP student Ben Burtt joined the celebrations today, expressing happiness with his results and his decision to select the IBCP, pointing out, “The IBCP is good for university applications as we have to do more than just the BTEC Level 3.” 

Students on both courses are now looking forward to exciting futures and have a host of interesting pathways ahead, with courses that include Architecture, Politics and International Relations, Marine Biology, History, Radiography, Urban Planning and Fine Art.

They join a community of 2.7 million IB graduates from 157 countries across the world who have the shared experience of a programme of education that aspires to develop well-rounded students with ethical responsibility, intercultural understanding, and attitudes and skills needed for both academic and personal success. Through the curriculum, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and the Service Learning (SL) elements of the IB Core, as well as through extra-curricular activities at WA, over the past two years this cohort has enjoyed initiatives such as making a mental health podcast, running an environmental club for younger students, helping to organise a local festival with Grand Junction, and organising a social action conference for young people with the American School in London.

Principal, Mrs Numera Anwar, said, “With more students than ever achieving offers to Russell Group universities, and a record number progressing to Oxbridge, these are incredible outcomes. I am so proud of each and every one of these students for everything they have achieved at WA. We thank them for all their contributions to the school and to the community, and wish them every success as they embark on their next chapters.” Mrs Anwar extended her thanks to the parents, carers, staff, sponsors, trustees and supporters who have contributed to the achievements of the Class of 2025 throughout their time at Westminster Academy.