Pupils at King Edward’s School are celebrating exceptional results in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma – the best unadjusted results since 2019.
This year’s cohort achieved an average point score of 37.95, (which is significantly higher than last year’s global average of 30.32), with 43% of pupils attaining 40 points or more. Seventeen pupils achieved 43 points or above – a remarkable top-end performance – with five pupils attaining the maximum score of 45 points, which is a rare accomplishment, and typically achieved by fewer than 1% of candidates globally.
These results not only testify to the academic strength of our class of 2025, but will also open doors to a huge breadth of university subjects and destinations that reflect our pupils’ diverse interests and ambitions. Pupils have secured places at a wide range of leading universities in the UK and internationally, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Durham, and King’s College, as well as Harvard and the University of Chicago in the US. Pupils will go on to study an impressive variety of subjects, from Medicine, Engineering and Economics to English Literature, Geography, History, and the Performing Arts.
Mrs Kirsty von Malaisé, Chief Master & Principal of KES and KEHS, said:
“We are immensely proud of our pupils’ achievements in this year’s IB Diploma. They reflect pupils’ hard work, intellectual curiosity and ambition, and the dedication of our staff to enable every pupil to thrive. Not only have our pupils achieved our best unadjusted results since 2019, but they have excelled in so many other areas, such as sport, music, leadership, drama and debating. The purpose of a great school is to create the space for young people to find their gifts, and to inspire them to grow and flourish. The Class of 2025 exemplify this.’
A KES education is one in which academic success is intertwined with the school’s extensive co-curricular programme, encouraging pupils to explore their passions and niches, develop leadership, and grow as individuals.
Here is a selection of reflections and stories from the Class of 2025.
Aspiring medic Ryan, who achieved 45 points, is heading to Imperial College London to study Medicine. “I honestly can’t believe it. All the hard work has finally paid off, and I’m just so excited to get started at Imperial. My time at KES has been unbelievable – the best memories of my life. The friends I’ve made, the experiences I’ve had, they’ll stay with me forever. One of the highlights was helping start the Wilkins-Franklin Workshop, a two-week science outreach programme for primary schools – that’s a real core memory for me. I’ve also loved playing chess and table tennis here. KES has truly shaped who I am.”
Senior Prefect Sarish, who also achieved 45 points, is holding an offer to study Natural Sciences at Durham University. “I did better than I ever expected! It feels surreal, especially getting a 7 in English. I’ve absolutely loved my time at KES – it’s such an integral part of who I am. The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had here have shaped me, and I really couldn’t have done it without them. I’ve been involved in so much – from the Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Senior Swing Band, to the Senior Production and CCF. It’s going to be strange leaving KES, but I’m so excited for what’s next.”
Another 45-pointer was Anish, who is heading to Cambridge to study Economics. “It’s really exciting – I was so nervous last night, but I’m really happy with my results today. I’ve had so much support from my teachers, especially Mr Watson in Economics, and Mr Pearson and Mr Shepherd in Maths – I couldn’t have done it without them. They really put me in a position where this was achievable. I’m proud of everything I’ve been involved in at KES – from reaching the national finals in debating, to playing cricket for the 2nd XI, and editing the school newspaper, The Edwardian Herald. I just hope I can enjoy university as much as I’ve enjoyed my time here.”
Kai will be taking up a place at Hertford College, Oxford, to read Geography after securing his 45 points. Vice-captain of the 1st XV rugby team, who has also played 1st XI cricket, the tenor sax in the KES/KEHS Big Band and been a Senior Prefect, Kai reflected on his time at KES. “From when you join as a Shell, KES prepares you really well for the years ahead. I was really lucky to come here. I am now looking forward to exploring my interests at university.”
Completing the group with 45 points was Sidd, who will be taking up a Dentistry place at King’s College London and counts last year’s cricket tour of the West Indies among the highlights of his time at KES. “This is amazing. I was not expecting to get 45 points, even in my wildest dreams. It has been a lot of hard work but definitely worth it and it is so rewarding that the hard work has paid off.”
Two members of the KES Class of 2025 are now US bound for university.
School Captain Aaryan, who has been heavily involved in sport, music and primary school partnerships at KES, including establishing the Wilkins-Franklin Workshops, has an unconditional offer from Harvard. He spent last summer on the Research Science Institute’s Summer Programme in Boston, providing him with an opportunity to conduct research with world-renowned Professors at both Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. He reflected on balancing the requirements of the US university application process with his studies. “The US application took up so much time and I am so grateful for my teachers’ support, including Miss Khatun’s outside of lessons. Everything I did at KES, such as sport, music and outreach, really helped the application.”
Meanwhile, Larry is heading to the University of Chicago where he will study Economics. Among his KES highlights are being captain of the quiz team, a History Society leader and organiser of Politics Week, leading the CCF’s Annual General Inspection and participating in Model United Nations. “[That results day was approaching] really only hit me at Speech Day and Sports Day yesterday. Today will definitely ease my mind for the rest of the summer. I started going down the US university route at the start of Year 11, with support from Ms Gilbert-Bair and Mr Coverdale. I was accepted on to a summer programme at Chicago last summer and I fell in love with the teaching, the location and the rest. The application process was a lot more personal than for UK universities, with three personal statements and a video profile, and KES really set me up for this with the co-curricular background which bolstered my application.”
Closer to home, a wonderfully diverse range of destinations and courses await the departing cohort of Sixths.
Bobby is heading to Cambridge to study Veterinary Sciences. “I’m really pleased – I met my Cambridge offer, which is such a relief after all the nerves last night. I’ve always loved animals, and Veterinary Sciences is the perfect combination of science and animals for me. The atmosphere at KES has been amazing – I’ve really enjoyed the friendships I’ve made here. I’ve been part of the first team for water polo, played in the Symphony Orchestra, and sang in the Choral Society. I’m excited to continue water polo at university and see what the next chapter brings.”
Daniel who has signed a professional rugby contract with the Newport Dragons, is set to study Human Geography at Cardiff University. “I’m really happy – it’s such a good feeling to see all the hard work pay off, both in my grades and on the rugby pitch. I’ve already been back and forth to Wales for Senior Academy training with the Dragons, and I’m loving it so far. It feels like the end of something special, but in a good way – and I’m excited for what’s next: rugby, university life, meeting new people, and hopefully some travel too. KES has been such a special place for me. From captaining the 1st XV rugby team and reaching the national finals at Twickenham, to also playing water polo – where we also reached the national finals – and performing in so many school concerts, I’ve been part of so many great moments. It’s all shaped who I am. I’m especially grateful to all the coaches, particularly Mr Adams and Mr Lloyd, for helping me grow not just as a player, but as a person.”
Elliot, who secured his place at University College London to study History, Politics and Economics, is celebrating the end of a memorable seven years at KES. “I’m feeling great and definitely relieved! I’m so happy to have met my offer and to be heading to UCL to study subjects I genuinely enjoy. I’m really looking forward to university life and getting involved in all the extracurricular opportunities. Finishing with my last Saturday cricket match was a big moment – sport has been such a huge part of my time at KES. It’s the combination of academics and extracurriculars that makes this place so special. That balance is what pushes you through and makes the experience so enjoyable. Being awarded the Bache Memorial Cup at Speech Day – voted top sportsman by my peers – was a real honour. As 1st XV vice-captain and 1st XI captain, I’ve had the chance to take on leadership roles and help the teams push for strong finishes this season. It’s been an incredible journey.”
Edward is heading to King’s College London to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics. “I’m still in a bit of shock – I surpassed my expectations. I’m really looking forward to the independence and freedom of university, and the chance to enrich my academic journey. KES has given me so much – being part of the Philosophy Society taught me how to listen and how to appreciate different perspectives. I’ve also really enjoyed being involved in rugby. My advice to others would be: learn to love the pressure. Pressure is a good thing – pressure makes diamonds.”
Hari who was 2nd XV captain and hugely involved in philosophy and drama at KES, is Manchester-bound to read English Literature and History. “I was not expecting to be quite so emotional today,” he said. “I can see that the work I have put in has turned into something. It is so gratifying. I am looking forward to going up to Manchester with some of my mates. I am looking forward to life in the city and the course itself, which is going to be so interesting. It is a joint honours course which means it is the best of both worlds.”
Omar has secured his place at King’s College London, where he will study Liberal Arts. “I have weird emotions today. One of the things I will particularly miss will be the drama side of school. This has been such a big part of my time at KES and is unlike anything you see elsewhere. But I am excited to be going to London. My course will be very broad, even broader than the IB, and I’m looking forward to flexibility in the modules I can take.”
Harrison will be heading to Leeds Conservatoire to take up a place on the Actor Musician degree course. He said: “Today has been really wonderful, particularly that most of my friends have made or exceeded their predictions. It is so lovely to see everyone in high spirits.”
Among the other courses that KES pupils will be embarking on this autumn are: Natural Sciences with a Placement Abroad at Bath; Aerospace Engineering at UCL; Engineering at Cambridge; Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial; Mathematics and Computer Science at Oxford; Mathematics at St Andrews; and Economics and Finance with Study Abroad at Bristol. A full list of university destinations will be published in the autumn term.
The IB Diploma comprises six subjects, and all students take English, Mathematics, at least one science, at least one language and at least one humanities subject. Pupils also complete an extended essay on any subject of their choice, follow a Theory of Knowledge course and undertake a range of co-curricular activity and community service.
You can find out more about the 2025 IB results on the school’s results webpage.
