Pupils at St Leonards School in St Andrews are celebrating this week after receiving an outstanding set of results in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Career-related Programme (IBCP).
Recognised for excellent academic achievement, having been named the Scottish Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance in 2024 by the Sunday Times, St Leonards is proud to announce the continued success of its IB graduates.
Almost 80% of grades were 7/6/5 (A*-B equivalent) in Higher Level subjects, whilst 85% of pupils secured places at their university of choice.
We were particularly proud of Alina K (international boarder, Russia), who scored the maximum of 45 points - a feat achieved by typically fewer than 1% of pupils globally who sit the qualification and equivalent to a remarkable 5 A* grades at A Level.
Other notable achievements came from Sophie C (day pupil, St Andrews), scoring 43 points who has a place at either St Andrews or Durham to read Combined Social Sciences; Sam C (day pupil, Fife), scoring 41 points who has a place at Glasgow School of Art to read Architecture; and similarly Amanda (Ruihan) Y (international boarder, China), who has a place at UCL to read Biomedical Sciences.
It was also a joy to share in the success Maryna B (international boarder, Ukraine) achieved. She has thrived at St Leonards since arriving only two years ago and scored a remarkable 36 points (equivalent to AAA at A Level). Maryna has a place at Dundee University to study International Business.
The most popular universities this year were Durham, Glasgow, UCL and Warwick, with other destinations for the IB students in Scotland ranging from St Andrews, Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen.
Each year, typically one third of St Leonards pupils go on to Scottish universities, one third to destinations elsewhere in the UK, and one third overseas. This year’s international places include Bucconi, Maastricht and University of California, San Diego.
Commenting on the results, Simon Brian, Head of St Leonards School, said: “These exceptional results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our young people, the unwavering support of our staff, and the robust academic environment we foster at St Leonards. I am incredibly proud of each individual’s achievements, and the remarkable successes of our diverse and talented cohort. Their accomplishments not only reflect their individual efforts but also the strength of our community and our commitment to academic excellence. Congratulations to all our IB graduates on securing their futures at prestigious universities worldwide.”
This year has also marked the third cohort of students completing the IB Career-related Programme (CP) at St Leonards, graduating with a 100% pass rate for a second year running. The CP comprises IB Diploma courses and a BTEC in Business, offering a more vocational Sixth Form pathway. Pupils on the course are heading to Heriot-Watt, Aberdeen, Hult Business School and Abertay.
Congratulations to St Leonards pupils on an excellent set of results.