Westbourne School Sixth Form students are celebrating today after receiving a sweep of excellent results in their IB Diploma exams, securing them entry into some of the country’s most outstanding universities.

The results follow two years of intensive study at the Penarth-based independent school, called “one of the most consistently high-achieving independent schools in Britain” (Sunday Times) and, last month, Winner of the prestigious Global EdTech Award 2023.

Westbourne students benefit from the unique opportunity to share knowledge and learnings globally thanks to the school’s growing international network of like-minded peers spanning the UK to Australia.

With a mission to create the leaders of the future in the fields of business, entrepreneurship and STEM, Westbourne’s global IB Diploma colleges aim to rank in the top 3 colleges in marker within three years of operations, establishing a worldwide reputation for a groundbreaking innovation-led, IB-only, future-focused model. Earlier this year, Westbourne College Sydney shot straight to 1st in Australia for the highest proportion of 44+ IBDP Point grades, and no less is expected for the newly-launched Westbourne College Singapore.

Stand-out scores today came from Aleksandra Warda (19), who achieved an exceptional 41 Points (approximately equivalent to 4-5 A*’s at A Level). She will now progress to LSE to study Politics & Philosophy. Rochelle Lok (18), who attained 41 Points, will read Architecture at the University of Edinburgh.

Inspired by a passion for STEM, Jakub Zeman (19) is also making the move to London to study Economics & Management at King’s College, Dardi Peka (18) is headed to Queen Mary University of London to study Aerospace Engineering, and Emilia Bacior (18) will read International Business, Finance & Economics at the University of Manchester.

Head Pupil, Gevin Sherko (19), told us:

“The experiences I had at Westbourne are truly unforgettable and I will cherish them for the rest of my life. Studying the IB was challenging sometimes, yet rewarding. With extraordinary help from my teachers and friends, I managed to succeed in completing this journey.”

Sixth Form Ambassador, Amelia Carr (18), echoed this sentiment, saying:

“Westbourne has been like a family to me, throughout my whole seven years as a pupil Westbourne has never once made me feel like I’m not good enough, the staff have shaped me and moulded me into the person I am today and it’s left me knowing that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. We had endless support from all the teachers and from fellow pupils, which really made studying the IB Diploma that much easier.”

Westbourne has a century-long history of facilitating student access to the world’s leading universities, including Oxbridge and the top London universities, with graduates consistently ranking with the top 1% worldwide.

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in place of A Levels at Sixth Form, advocating that the IB provided a head start for students in both university applications and future careers for its rich depth and breadth of study.

A number of the students have received the results needed to study at American universities, including Oracene Mbiake Toko (18), who will read Law, Olufemi Fajobi (17) to study neuroscience on the pre-medical track at Temple University on a scholarship, and Munachimso Ubah (17), who said:

“I am on the pre-med track and plan on subsequently applying for medical school after this degree. Westbourne was a life-changing experience for me. It showed me a new approach to life in general and independence as a person.”

Westbourne School Principal, Dr Gerard Griffiths, said today:

“The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is renowned across the world for producing globally-minded young people who have the attributes to become the leaders of the future. Unlike A Levels, which focus purely on academic skills, the IB is the gold standard in academia but also teaches broader life skills and those competencies required to be confident all-rounder. It’s this that holds huge appeal for university admissions teams not just here in the UK but globally.”

The results follow a string of recent accolades for Westbourne, including winning, last month, the Global EdTech Awards 2023 for a pioneering approach to technology and innovation, as well as being shortlisted for two TES Schools Awards in 2023, for Headteacher of the Year and Best Use of Technology next to Eton College and Wellington College.