Pupils and staff at Warminster School were in celebratory mood today following the publication of another set of outstanding public examination results.

The school’s International Baccalaureate Diploma students surpassed last year’s cohort and averaged a school record of 33 points per diploma graduate, a score which is comfortably above the global average.

Top scholars from a strong group of students were Alice Geist and Daniel Meschaninov, each of whom achieved 40 points out of 45. To put these results in perspective, this is the equivalent of 611 UCAS points – five straight A grades at A Level! Both Alice and Daniel were understandably ecstatic at the news. Alice can now apply with confidence to leading German universities to read Economics and Daniel has surpassed with ease his offer from the University of London.

Local students Emma Leworthy from Bratton and Emily Keen from Sutton Veny also excelled. Emma achieved 37 points and will now take her place to read Geography at Durham University. Emily, our former Head Girl, gained 36 points – securing her a place on her first-choice university course, reading History at Southampton. Their Diploma scores were the equivalent of 4 A grades at A level.

Emily said: “Studying the IB at Warminster School has been incredibly rewarding and I am delighted with my results.” Emma too is grateful for the strong support of her tutors, particularly in regard to the Extended Essay and her Higher Level subjects.

Warminster staff were thrilled with the Diploma results. IB Coordinator Catherine Wilson said: “We are delighted with the results this year. They reflect the strong IB programme at Warminster School. We have established a broad curriculum taught by experienced teachers and my thanks go to them for their hard work this year. I wish our IB graduates every success at university and in their chosen careers.”

Graeme McQueen, Head of Sixth Form, added: “These are a very pleasing set of results which will stand our pupils in good stead in what will no doubt prove to be a very tough and competitive year for undergraduate entry to British universities. The Diploma is warmly welcomed by leading universities, both in the UK and abroad; they see it as a rigorous examination combining both depth and breadth.”

Martin Priestley, Headmaster, concluded: “We were the first school in the South West to offer the Diploma alongside our traditional A Level programme. This record set of results confirms our excellent and proven track record of success. Year on year our ‘points per graduate’ score has risen and has remained consistently above the world average. Last year we were placed 27^th out of well over 200 UK schools offering the Diploma programme. This year’s record results are a testament to the commitment of a professional staff and to the diligence of an able cohort of students; I applaud their efforts and thank and congratulate my colleagues and especially Mrs Wilson, our dedicated IB Coordinator. The IB is growing in popularity at Warminster School: we give our students a choice between A Levels and the IB Diploma – and a record number of our own students have opted to take the IB from September, so the programme goes from strength to strength.”