The “extraordinary” hard work of high achieving sixth formers at Ardingly College has paid off in their end-of-school exams.
Thirty-nine of the Upper Sixth (Year 13) have just been awarded the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma. In the words of Director of Studies Steve Allen: “This 100 % success rate is an incredible achievement.”
Two boys, Timur Sauerborn and Nicholas Moelhoff, achieved a perfect score of 45 points – the equivalent of four A* grades at A Level. This puts them in the top 0.25% of the world’s highest IB achievers.
While Ardingly’s group of A level students still have a nail-biting wait until August to know their grades, candidates of the globally recognised International Baccalaureate received their results this week (July 5).
More than a quarter of the IB cohort at Ardingly gained 40 points and over.
One third of the students achieved 38 points, the minimum requirement for Oxbridge entry.
So far this year, four of Ardingly’s students have gained places at Oxbridge: Yana Kalcheva will read English at Lucy Cavendish, Cambridge; Chris Preston-Bell is to study Theology at Clare College, Cambridge.
They will be joined at Oxbridge by Sam Elwin, whose 42 IB points win him a place at Pembroke, Oxford, to read History, and Verena Neufeld whose score of 42 enables her to study Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge.
Other outstandingly high grades have been gained by Christine Bischoff (44 points); Marie Grueger (42); Ana Jackson and Katy Reader (41); Zara Christmas and Tom Durkin (40).
Director of Studies Steve Allen said: “This has been a year of record IB achievements. Ten of our students have achieved 40 points and over and this means they are in the top seven per cent of the highest IB achievers in the world.
“However, huge congratulations are due not only to those with the highest grades, but to everyone who has been awarded the IB Diploma. These students join a global IB network whose extraordinary achievements are welcomed by universities and employers throughout the UK and around the world.”
Mr Allen explained that the IB involves students taking six subjects – three at higher level and three at standard level. Pupils also have to write a 4,000 word extended essay, as well as undertake 50 hours in each of three extra curricular elements – creativity, action and service.
“The IB is an amazing way to ease students’ transition from school to the academic demands of university and life beyond,” said Mr Allen.
Fri 16th Jul 2010
