Independent schools celebrate another year of strong A Level results

St Benedict’s School, a leading independent co-educational school for girls and boys aged 3 to 18 in Ealing, West London, is celebrating the strongest ever A Level results for its students this year.

Students, families and staff gathered to celebrate with this year’s cohort of 114 upper sixth students achieving the school’s strongest ever overall performance, Covid years aside.

Across more than 350 A Levels, 53 per cent were awarded A* or A grades, while 82 per cent achieved A*, A or B.

These outstanding results reflect the talent, determination and ambition of the Class of 2026, as well as the dedication and commitment of their teachers, families and the wider St Benedict’s community, the school said, with most students have securing their preferred university destinations. Pupils are now heading for University of Oxford, University of St Andrews, King’s College London, London School of Economics (LSE), Durham, Bristol, Warwick, Manchester and Bath.

Among this year’s achievements are, Lydia R achieved A*A A A and will study Medicine at King’s College London, Zach P achieved A* A* A* and will study Economics at the University of Bristol, Evie S achieved A* A* A* A and will study Economics at the University of Warwick, Adam AC achieved A* A* A and will study Economics at the University of Manchester, Ruby S achieved A* A* A* and will study Management with Marketing at the University of Bath, Jake B achieved A* A* A A and will study Mathematics at the University of St Andrews, Sienna SP achieved A*A A and will study Law at the University of Bristo,l Nicolae D achieved A*A A and will study Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Oxford, Lettie S achieved A* A* A* and will study Design at Loughborough University, Milo S achieved A* A* A A and will study Computer Science at King’s College London, Aidan T achieved A* A* A and will study Psychology at LSE, Maria S achieved A*A A and will study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Durham, University Zac B achieved A* A* A* B and will study Automotive Engineering at the University of Warwick.

Sienna SP, who will be studying Law at the University of Bristol, said: “I’m so pleased with my A Level results and even more excited to be going to Bristol to study Law. A huge thank you to all my teachers at St Benedict’s for their constant support and guidance. I’m so grateful to have moved to St Benedict’s for Sixth Form and to have spent the last two years at such a wonderful school, surrounded by people who have helped me grow and achieve so much.”

Aidan T added: “I have had the best time here at St Benedict’s. Thank you to all the wonderful teachers who have supported me and the friends I have made along the way.”

Headmaster Joe Smith praised the achievements of the Class of 2026: “We are all absolutely delighted with the results achieved by the wonderful St Benedict’s Class of 2026. They represent an improvement on last year’s results and, excluding the Covid years, the school’s best-ever A Level results. I want to pay tribute to this remarkable year group, who, alongside achieving such brilliant results, have contributed to the life of St Benedict’s in so many ways.”

St Benedict’s pupils celebrate A Level results this morning

At St Mary’s School, Cambridge, an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 founded in 1898, almost three-quarters of A Level grades awarded were at A* – B with twelve subjects returning 100 per cent of grades at A*-B, across a spread that runs from Psychology, Economics and Geography through to Art, Textiles, Classical Civilisation and Mandarin. In Latin, French, Spanish and Photography, students achieved 100 per cent A* grades, and 60 per cent of English Literature grades were awarded at A*.

Girls in Year 13 are heading to universities including Cambridge, St Andrews, Durham, LSE, UCL and Warwick to read subjects as varied as Accounting, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, History, Law, Pharmacy and Theatre Studies.

Hannah Helliar, Head of St Mary’s School, said: “Watching our Sixth Form students celebrate their well-deserved success today has been incredibly rewarding. These results are testament to their hard work, intellectual curiosity and resilience. For over 125 years, St Mary’s has been opening doors for young women, and today we see those doors leading to some of the best universities in the country.

“True to our founder Mary Ward’s vision, these remarkable students are prepared to ‘do much’ as they take their next steps, and they are ready to hold those doors open for the girls who follow.”

Rebecca Landshoff, Head of Sixth Form, said: “These A Level results reflect the strength of our Sixth Form programme, in which we challenge our students educationally while providing the support they need to thrive. What makes me particularly proud is seeing how our students have developed both as academic scholars and as thoughtful, confident young women ready to make their mark at university and beyond.”

Two girls achieved A*A*A alongside an A* in their Extended Project Qualification, taking up places at Cambridge to read Law and Modern and Ancient Languages respectively. Poppy, who will read Law at Cambridge, said: “My teachers supported me with my subjects and with my Cambridge application. St Mary’s has given me the tools to handle what comes next, and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”

Leonie, who joined St Mary’s aged four, said: “I’ve loved the Sixth Form community here. The teachers know you properly, which makes the work feel manageable. I’m going to be reading History at Sheffield, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mel said: “The support I had from my teachers through my A Levels meant a great deal to me. I’m heading off to Southampton to read English.”

Downside School, which is non-selective school, said the fact that 35 per cent of pupils achieved three or more A* or A grades, and more than a quarter of all subjects were awarded exclusively at A* or A grade, is “clearly a great achievement”.

Twins Molly and Ne together secured five A* grades and two A grades across the sciences and languages, alongside other pupils such as Maria, who achieved AAA; Franz, AAAB; Albert, AAA; Alexander, AAA; Sacha, AAA; and Abigail, A*AA.

Downside pupils have secured places to study a wide range of subjects at leading universities, including Physics at the University of St Andrews, Medicine and Law at Warwick, Engineering at Edinburgh, Accounting and Finance at Durham, Social Sciences at UCL, Liberal Arts at Exeter, Music and Sound Recording at York, and Criminology at Cardiff.

The Extended Project Qualification continued to be a strength, providing pupils with the opportunity to pursue independent research in areas about which they are genuinely passionate. This year, 78 per cent of candidates achieved an A* or A grade, studying topics ranging from aircraft safety and the impact of social media on teenage mental health to public attitudes towards vaccines, the effects of Western intervention on women in Afghanistan, and Why Do Democracies Collapse?

Mike Randall, Interim Head, said: “Exceptional achievements such as these are worthy of celebration and represent part of a much broader story of ambition, perseverance and success across the year group. At Downside, our educational philosophy is centred on helping every pupil become the very best version of themselves academically, personally and spiritually. Whether in the classroom, through the creative arts, in leadership roles, on the sports field, or through the values and reflection that underpin life in our community, we seek to develop confident, compassionate and well-rounded young people. This year’s results are a true reflection of that approach.”

Mayfield School celebrated more than half of all grades awarded A* /A or equivalent with students heading for Oxford, Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania to study subjects including Medicine, Psychology and Zoology to Fine Art, Film, Mathematics and the Sciences. Ava secured a place at Churchill College, Cambridge, where she will study Human, Social and Political Sciences. At Mayfield she served as House Captain of Avila, led the Sixth Form Debate Society, and was Secretary-General of Model United Nations. As part of the Senior Debate Team, she helped Mayfield reach the Finals Day of the prestigious ESU Schools’ Mace competition in London.

She said: “I always try to take every opportunity available to me, and I’m grateful that Mayfield gave me so many opportunities to do just that. My advice to younger students would be to try new things, work hard at them and take advantage of an environment like Mayfield, where you are encouraged to challenge yourself and discover new interests.”

Mia will be studying Medicine at University of Nottingham. She joined Mayfield in Year 7 and went on to become a Sport, Art and Academic Scholar. Looking back over her Mayfield journey, she said: “I’m so thankful for all of the support from my teachers and friends for the past seven years. I’m thrilled with my results but more importantly the amazing experiences and opportunities which Mayfield has given me. I feel so prepared to go to University due to the confidence which has been instilled in me.”

Rose has secured a place at the University of Oxford, where she will study History of Art, after achieving two A*s and an A at A Level in English Literature, Textiles and History of Art, alongside an A in her EPQ.

Headmistress Deborah Bligh said: “Today’s results are a powerful endorsement of the Mayfield approach to education. We believe that when every young person is truly known, encouraged to discover her passions and given the confidence to pursue ambitious goals, exceptional outcomes follow. Whether studying Human, Social and Political Sciences, Medicine, Performing Arts or Fashion Marketing, each student’s chosen path reflects her unique talents, interests and ambitions. At Mayfield, success is never about fitting girls into a mould. As a girls-only school, we provide an environment in which every young woman is encouraged to find her voice, pursue her passions and develop the confidence to thrive.”

New Hall School in Chelmsford is celebrating A Level and BTEC Results that have seen 91 per cent of students securing their destination of choice and 75 per cent of results at the top Distinction* grade for first students taking BTEC Sport. Fifteen students are celebrating straight A*/A grades, with four students achieving straight A*s 75 per cent of all grades at A*-B and half of all boarders’ grades at A*/A.

Destinations include Oxford, École Polytechnique, Bath, Durham, Exeter, University College London, Warwick, University of the Arts London, King’s College London, and the London School of Economics.

New Hall also supports students pursuing alternative pathways, with members of this year’s cohort securing highly competitive apprenticeships with leading organisations, such as award-winning wealth manager, Rathbones.

From September 2026, as well as the BTEC Diploma in Sport, New Hall is introducing the BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts.

Principal, Katherine Jeffrey, said: “We are immensely proud of our students, and these results reflect their hard work and determination. Alongside excelling academically, this cohort has contributed enormously to the wider life of the school through sporting achievements, the performing arts, and service to the community. Today, we celebrate the remarkable young adults they have become, along with their outstanding examination results. We look forward to seeing them carry New Hall’s values of care, trust and respect into the next chapter of their lives.”

Students achieved particularly strong results across STEM subjects. In Physics, a superb 50 per cent of grades were at A*, with 75 per cent of grades at A*/A, and in Further Mathematics, 67 per cent of grades were at A*, with 83 per cent of grades at A*/A.

Ned Broderick, alumnus of Brentwood Preparatory School, boarder, achieved three A*s in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics and an A in Chemistry, securing his place to read Mathematics at Magdalen College, Oxford.

One of New Hall’s highest achievers, Danis Begovic, full boarder, alumnus of Second Gymnasium Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, achieved A* grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Economics, and has secured a place to study for a Bachelor of Science at École Polytechnique, Paris.

Other STEM highlights include: William Henson, alumnus of Widford Lodge Preparatory School, who achieved four A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and in his Extended Project Qualification, is studying Medicine at the University of East Anglia; Aurora Navti, alumna of St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, full boarder, who achieved A* in Biology, and As in Chemistry and Mathematics, will be studying Medicine at Queen Mary University of London; Stanley Bailey, alumnus of Alleyn Court Preparatory School, who achieved three A*s in Further Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics and an A in Chemistry, will be studying Physics at the University of Manchester.

Paul Goulding, Head of Sixth Form and Oxbridge Co-ordinator, commented: “We are extremely proud to see that New Hall’s longstanding tradition of supporting students in securing places at Oxbridge continues this year. Max and Ned join a distinguished cohort of Old Fishes who have gone on to study at Oxford and Cambridge, continuing a proud tradition of academic excellence and achievement.”

New Hall’s boarding students were among those celebrating particularly impressive results, with half of their grades at A*/A, and 75% at A*-B. New Hall offers full and flexible boarding at Sixth Form, enabling students to choose an arrangement that complements their studies, co-curricular commitments, and family life.

Samuel Carroll, Director of Boarding, said: “These results reflect our boarders’ hard work and commitment, and have been supported by the supplementary academic enrichment available in boarding. This is complemented by the extensive evening and weekend activities programme, giving boarders the opportunity to explore and pursue their interests beyond the classroom. Alongside their academic achievements, our boarders leave New Hall with the confidence and independence needed for university life, having developed lasting friendships with students from around the world.”

A parent shared their elation at their child’s successes, “We are incredibly proud of everything our child has achieved and are very grateful to the School for the support they have received. It feels very emotional to be reaching the end of our family’s time at New Hall.”

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