Westminster Academy began the week by welcoming back its Year 13 cohort, as they joined over 200,000 students across the world receiving their International Baccalaureate (IB) results on Monday. The Academy is proud to celebrate another year of excellent outcomes across both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

In the IBDP, students again surpassed the world average score, achieving an average score of 33 out of 45 points, compared to a global average of 30.9 points. Three students achieved an exceptional 40 or more points. 

The school is also celebrating exciting future pathways. Andromaque has secured a place at Trinity College, Dublin, while other destinations include prestigious universities such as Yale (USA), McGill (Canada), UCL, King’s College London, Nottingham, Bristol, St Andrews, Exeter, Reading, Birmingham and Warwick, as well as continued successful progression to Degree Level Apprenticeships. Students will study a diverse range of courses, from Law and Engineering to Modern Languages and Nursing.

Omran, who achieved 41 points out of a possible 45 in the IBDP, admitted he had been feeling nervous ahead of collecting his results, but was relieved to see his two years of hard work rewarded. He’s now looking forward to studying Maths at University College London (UCL). Joining him at UCL will be classmate Marcel, who is taking up a place to study Management Science, following his achievement of 40 points. Reflecting on his experience, he said he would recommend the IBDP because of its academic breadth, depth and distinct approaches to learning. “I enjoy this type of learning, and it offers great opportunities.”

IBDP graduate Amir has opted for a different pathway, preferring the idea of learning while working. Having applied for more than 40 apprenticeship programmes, he was happy to secure a place on a highly competitive degree apprenticeship in Site Management with John Sisk. Amir was particularly motivated by the practicalities of this route, explaining, “I didn’t want to get into debt, plus I want to get experience while I’m young.”

Among the Class of 2026 are twins Martina and Martin, who together represent the full breadth of WA's IB offer, completing the IBDP and IBCP respectively. Having joined WA in Year 7, Martina will go on to study PPE at King’s College London, while Martin will progress to study at SP Jain, London School of Management.

The school also celebrated an 88% pass rate in the IBCP, and excellent attainment, including that of Samaya, who achieved a grade 7 in Maths and a 6 in English - the highest ever scores of an IBCP student at WA. Samaya said this accolade came as a surprise, attributing her performance to the determination she showed after disappointing mock exam results. She said, “After my mock exams I worked really hard, and had to be very organised.” IBCP students combine 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, resulting in a programme that blends academic study with career-focused learning.

WA’s Class of 2026 now joins a global community of 2.9 million IB graduates from 159 countries who have the shared experience of a programme of education that specifically aspires to develop students with ethical responsibility, intercultural understanding, and attitudes and skills needed for both academic and personal success. WA is particularly proud to see students thrive in the IB Core, which consists of course components aiming to develop well-rounded, critical-thinkers. Across their two years students have taken part in a range of volunteering and fundraising initiatives, including running clubs for younger students and organising a social action conference for young people. Through their Reflective Projects and Theory of Knowledge studies they have explored issues such as the use of artificial intelligence in recruitment, and whether doubt is central to the pursuit of knowledge.

Principal, Mrs Numera Anwar congratulated the students and thanked parents, carers, staff, sponsors, trustees and everyone who has supported the cohort during their time at Westminster Academy. “This is Westminster Academy’s biggest ever IB cohort and we are delighted that more and more students are benefiting from an IB education and the many pathways it opens. We are incredibly proud of our students’ outstanding outcomes, which are thoroughly deserved and reflect  their commitment, resilience and hard work over the past two years.”