St Leonards students excel with outstanding IB exam results

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, and for being one of just two all-through IB schools in the UK, St Leonards is proud to announce a new record average points score of 36, out of a possible 45 points. Over a quarter of our leavers scored 40 points or higher, placing them in the top 7% of candidates across the globe.

Two pupils – Bethany Gavine from Balmullo and Martin Dandolov from Kirkcaldy – secured the top score of a full 45 points, which is the equivalent of five A* grades at A Level or five grade A Scottish Highers plus two grade A Scottish Advanced Highers. Achieving 45 points places them amongst the top 1% of IB scores in the world, which is an incredible accomplishment with fewer than 300 pupils achieving this globally. They plan to study Architecture and Economics respectively.

Further successes included 44 points for James Mackenzie-Page from St Andrews, who will go on to study Physics at the University of St Andrews; Clova Angus, from Leven, with 38 points and a place to study Anthropology also at Durham University; and 42 points achieved by our Deputy Heads of School, Zac Kunwar, and Isla Thomson, who will study Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and Geography at Durham University.

Over the past two years, Archie Clarke and Fynn Loewe have successfully combined their Diploma studies with high level sports training programmes, in rugby and golf respectively. They have been accepted to Durham University and Wingate University, North Carolina on awarded sports scholarships, having both scored 36 points.

The most popular universities this year were Durham and St Andrews, with other destinations for the IB students ranging from King’s College London to the University of Glasgow, Nottingham and Bristol.

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 destinations include the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, and Milan.

Commenting on the results, Simon Brian, Head of St Leonards School, said: “I am incredibly proud of this year’s outstanding International Baccalaureate results. They are a testament to the hard work and determination of our students, who have been prepared for life – Ad Vitam – and who I know will go on to do great things at some excellent and diverse destinations in Scotland, the wider UK and around the world. The St Leonards average score of 36 is a huge achievement, considerably exceeding the global average. Many congratulations to our 2022 leavers.”

This year has also marked the first cohort of students completing the IB Career-related Programme (CP) at St Leonards, graduating with a 100% pass rate: Colette Johnston, from St Andrews, will go on to study at Hult International Business School; Natasha Reid, from Newport, will attend York St John; and outgoing Bahamian Head Boy, Karajahyah Schlagenhauf, will attend the Glion Institute of Higher Education, a leading hospitality management school in Switzerland. The CP comprises IB Diploma courses and a BTEC in Business, offering a more vocational Sixth Form pathway.

Congratulations to St Leonards pupils on an excellent set of results.