Fettes College is celebrating as grades were published nationwide yesterday, with the school’s combined International Baccalaureate (IB) and A Level results breaking previous records.
While predominantly a day marked in the calendar of schools south of the border, the Edinburgh institution is unique in its academic pathway with students opting for either A Levels or IB, the internationally recognised education programme.
In total, 46% of all A Level grades were at A* or A and 80% of entries achieved A* to B grades. There were also 14 students who achieved a clean sweep of A* and A grades and a further six students who achieved 3A*s or more.
Fettes is the only school in Scotland to offer both IB and A Level pathways, and these latest results mark a record-breaking year for combined results: A*/7: 22%; A*-A/ 7-6: 63%; A*-B/ 7-5: 89%.
School leavers are now heading to university places across the UK, including Bath, Cambridge, Edinburgh, King’s College London, Imperial, LSE, St Andrews and UCL. A number have also secured places internationally, at institutions such as Georgetown University, McGill University, UC Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toronto.
Anushka Chakravarty, Deputy Head (Academic), said: “We are incredibly proud of our A Level students and the brilliant results achieved today. They have demonstrated academic curiosity, determination and high aspirations to achieve fantastic outcomes and secure competitive university places.
“Behind the statistics are also some inspiring personal journeys and individual successes, not to mention the staff who have gone above and beyond, offering around-the-clock support sessions, as well as pastoral support in our boarding Houses. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.”
Richard Girvan, Head of Fettes College, said: “As I begin my time as Head of Fettes, these very strong results are a compelling reflection of the ambition and quality of the community I am privileged to join.
“Our leavers depart not only with impressive academic achievements, but also with the confidence, independence, breadth of experience and friendships developed through an education with a range of opportunities that is distinctive in Scotland and stands in comparison with the very best schools across the UK.
“As Old Fettesians, they will continue to draw on those experiences, relationships and opportunities long after they leave us. I congratulate them warmly and wish them every success for the future.”
56 A Level students at Fettes also completed the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with 23% of EPQ projects awarded the A* grade, 80% achieving A*/A, building further on last year’s outcomes.