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Exeter College International Baccalaureate Students Excel on World Stage

Exeter College students studying on the International Baccalaureate (IB) have achieved an outstanding set of results with ten students achieving an impressive score of 40 points or more and one student receiving a rare 45 out of 45. 39 points is the equivalent of achieving three A Levels with the grades of A* A* A*.  

Exeter College has a proud and successful history of delivering the IB and recently celebrated its 30th year. The IB is an academic programme of study which pushes students in an array of subjects. The IB qualification allows students to study six subjects (three at higher level and three at standard level) across a wide range of disciplines spanning languages, humanities, maths, and sciences and is usually the preserve of private and academically selective providers globally.   

This year 35 candidates took the highly academic International Baccalaureate (IB) and achieved an average point score of 35.3, which is significantly higher than the world average of 30.3. 

Amy Dunbavin obtained a place at the University of Cambridge to read Human, Social and Political Science in 2025. Before taking up her place, she aims to travel including teaching in an international school. Speaking about her place at Cambridge, she said; 

“This course looks incredible – with opportunities to study modules from a range of disciplines alongside some fantastic social scientists from around the world. Following university, I imagine I will work in fields associated with human rights law and activism as I would like to utilise my privilege of such a fantastic education to represent the needs of people who are often overlooked or feel unable to represent themselves on matters of climate injustice or human rights abuses.” 

A student wearing red holds her results and smiles at the camera.
Amy (centre) collecting her results.

Speaking of her experience at Exeter College, Amy added; 

“The breadth of knowledge I have gained in only two years is quite remarkable and is beyond the expectations I had of the course before starting. I am incredibly lucky to have been supported by a truly inspiring group of students and teachers. 

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to carry on studying subjects such as German, Maths and Biology which I would not have otherwise done, had I taken A Levels. I must also mention how influential Martin Gilbert and the Reach Academy were on supporting my academic studies. The support of Martin throughout my application to university was outstanding, giving me the confidence not only to apply to aspirational universities but to feel that I had the best chance possible at being successful in my application.” 

A group of students hold their results in front of a college building.

Scarlett Joiner (pictured right above) plans to take a year out before going to university. She said; 

“I would like to study medicine, and I am applying to medical schools now I have my results. I am hoping to travel this year and use the German language skills I’ve learnt on the IB. I feel optimistic about the future because taking the IB has given me confidence in my academic ability.” 

Speaking about her time on the course, she added; 

“Although some of the IB has been very challenging, I have really enjoyed studying it at Exeter College. I feel particularly grateful for the friends I have made over the past two years on this course. I have liked being able to go into the city during breaks between lessons, and this has afforded me a great sense of independence. I liked the structure of the IB timetable – it is quite full, meaning that you don’t have extremely long breaks, which I like. I like the breadth of knowledge that studying the IB gives.” 

Billie Stokes, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, added;  

“These excellent IB results are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our students. Their achievements are truly remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of their success. This accomplishment not only reflects their academic excellence but also their commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. Congratulations to all our students on their exceptional performance.” 

You can find out more about the International Baccalaureate by reading our latest edition of EXE, the Exeter College alumni magazine, which features several IB alumni to celebrate 30 years of delivery. 

Find out more about studying the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College.   

Exeter College Students Excel in the International Baccalaureate

Exeter College students studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) received their results last week, with two students achieving an impressive score of above 40 points (out of a maximum 45). 

The IB qualification allows students to study six subjects (three at higher level and three at standard level) across a wide range of disciplines spanning languages, humanities, maths, and sciences and is usually the preserve of private and academically selective providers globally. 

This year 25 students took the highly academic IB and achieved an average point score of 35, which is significantly higher than the world average. 

Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE, said; 

“The IB is an amazing academic programme of study which pushes students in a fantastic array of subjects. 

“Students often praise how this group of students and staff feels like family. I would like to thank the staff who lead, coordinate, and teach on the IB programmes for their dedication and support. 

“These results are a credit to the students; I am delighted that Exeter College continues to perform way above the world average.” 

A student poses with her parents and they all smile at the camera.
Eleanor Keay, with her parents, on IB Results Day

Student Eleanor Keay is planning to travel before deciding on an academic route. She said; 

“The IB has been a phenomenal course both in terms of my academic and personal development. The teachers are passionate about their subjects and always there for support. 

“The interdisciplinary nature of the course is excellent for developing well-rounded students: despite my subjects having seemingly little overlap (English, History, Spanish Higher Level, Maths, Environmental Science, and Global Politics) I found there to be overlap that really furthered my understand of the subjects.  

“The small cohort size set within the large background of Exeter College cohort gives students a strong relationship with peers and tutors while still having access to a wide variety of extracurricular activities at the college – mine included Debate Society, Law Society, and History Reading Society. 

“My results have opened lots of doors – partly because of this I am taking a gap year to develop my Spanish in a native environment, as an Au Pair in Spain and through volunteering/backpacking in South America. I have very broad academic interests, but will probably study some combination of Social Anthropology, Politics, History, Spanish and Environmental Science. In the future I would like to work in the foreign service, for IGOs or NGOs or in Education” 

A student poses with her teacher on IB results day.
Grace Pamplin with Assistant Principal, Billie Stokes

Student Grace Pamplin also collected her results today. She is planning to progress to the University of Reading to study History. Speaking about how much she enjoyed the IB, she said; 

“The diversity of subjects, the support you get from the teachers and the tight-knit community that the IB is, it just felt like a nice community to foster knowledge and confidence in your abilities. 

“The best times in lessons were when we were debating and with the teacher support, the whole experience was amazing.” 

Bille Stokes, Assistant Principal, added; 

“Our IB learners have worked incredibly hard to achieve these results and we are so proud of them all.  

“The IB is a fantastic stepping stone into the world, with many students choosing further study in the UK or abroad. Exeter College wishes all our IB students all the best for their bright future.” 

Find out more about the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College. 

International Baccalaureate Students Achieve World-Class Results 

Exeter College students studying on the International Baccalaureate have achieved an incredible set of results with five students achieving 42 or more, with 45 being the maximum you can score. 39 points is the equivalent of three A Levels with the grades of A* A* A*. 

This year 31 candidates took the International Baccalaureate (IB), achieving once again a 100% pass rate, with 26% of candidates achieving 40+ points. This is especially impressive when you consider the lack of experience these students have had in sitting exams and yet despite this, they have achieved an impressive set of results. 

“It has been rewarding to see all the elements of my work come together to produce a result I am proud of.”

Florence Witham, IB student

Exeter College has a successful history of delivering the IB and this year celebrated its 30th year.  

John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive said; 

“One of the inspirational elements of the International Baccalaureate is being able to celebrate when our students excel against a truly international world average. In the first set of exam-based results for three years, this year’s IB cohort have continued the College’s legacy of excellent results. All students achieved the full IB diploma, thus giving the programme a 100% achievement rate. 

“The cohort achieved an average point score of 36, against a world average of 31.98. However, it was at the top end of performance where students truly excelled, with over a quarter of the students achieving 40 points or more, with one student scoring 44 points, just one off full marks! 

“I would like to congratulate our International Baccalaureate students on another set of excellent results. For over a quarter of the cohort to achieve 40 points or more is a remarkable outcome, especially when this is the first externally assessed and marked exams that these students would have experienced. The IB is a unique qualification, and it has been a privilege to see these students’ grow and develop over their two years at the College.  

“I would also like to thank the staff who lead, coordinate and teach on the IB programmes, as alongside these excellent results the team also managed a full IB five-year review – the Ofsted equivalent for the IB and it went brilliantly!” 

A group photo of the class of 2022
The class of 2022

Florence Witham, who scored 44 points, is progressing to Bath University to study Biology. She said; “It has been rewarding to see all the elements of my work come together to produce a result I am proud of; I think the high academic standard of the IB has made me particularly well equipped to succeed at university, where I will be studying a BSc in Biology.” 

Ruby Cutler has been accepted to study Medicine at Liverpool University. She said: “I was so shocked when I opened my results because I had prepared myself for the worst! I am now going to Liverpool University to study Medicine in September.” 

She added that she feels she owes a lot to the amazing teachers who supported and helped the students through COVID. 

Exeter College wishes the IB students all the best for their bright future. 

Find out more about the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College. 

Exeter College among the best in the country for getting into Oxford 

Exeter College is proud to announce the success of 15 students who have applied successfully to two of the UK’s top universities, with 12 receiving offers from the University of Oxford and three from the University of Cambridge. 

Students gain a place at the prestigious institutions, commonly known as Oxbridge, by passing a rigorous application and interview process that can take months.  

This year, 65 students from Exeter College applied to Oxbridge, with 15 receiving an offer to study, meaning that 23% of students who applied got offers. The successful students will be studying a range of subjects, from Fine Art and Philosophy to Medicine, Architecture and Physics, reflecting the broad curriculum available at Exeter College. 

“Exeter College is a really nice environment where you feel like you’re encouraged to aim high and take opportunities. Both students and staff have encouraged me to do my best.” 

Thomas Wilkinson, 19, studying UAL Art Foundation Diploma

Exeter College Lecturer Martin Gilbert, who leads on the Reach Academy, said; “I am really proud of all the students that made an application to either Oxford or Cambridge this year.  

“At Exeter College we encourage all students to make competitive UCAS applications and it is so nice to see this many students holding offers for two of the top universities in the world after such a rigorous application process. All the applicants have gained a huge amount from the process and the support they get from their teachers, tutors and our Future Steps Team is exceptional.” 

For the University of Oxford, over half of the 41 Exeter College students that applied got interviews, with 12 receiving offers to study with them. This equates to a 30% success rate, which is higher than the national average of 21% for state schools and 18% for Further Education colleges, putting Exeter College among the best in the country for getting into Oxford.* 

For the University of Cambridge, nearly all students who applied were interviewed, with three students receiving offers to study.  

“It’s going to be really exciting studying at such a prestigious place for four years doing the subject I’m passionate about.”

Troy Dale, 18, has an offer to study Physics at Oxford

Jade Otty, Vice Principal, said; “We are so pleased for, and proud of these learners, and everyone who made an application for Oxbridge this year. 

“Alongside the support we offer at Exeter College for such competitive university applications, these learners have had the courage and confidence to sit entrance exams as well as multiple interviews whilst staying focused on their study for their A Levels or International Baccalaureate.  

“The resilience and dedication this has taken, this year especially, is inspiring. Our teachers at College who have supported their applications could not be prouder of them.” 

Many of the students applications were supported by the Exeter College Reach Academy, which helps academically minded students with extra-curricular seminars, support and guidance to help raise aspirations and boost achievement.   

Student Stories 

Erin Fraser-Smith is continuing the family tradition of going to Exeter College and getting into Oxford, as her sister Ella received an offer to study Earth Sciences last year. Erin is hoping to study Medicine and work around the world as a doctor. 

Erin (pictured below), 17, who studied at Chulmleigh College before coming to Exeter College, said, “The application process was quite stressful but because I had support from Martin and the Reach Academy it was quite clear to me. 

Exeter College student smiling

“The actual interview itself was quite relaxed and I actually really enjoyed it. They asked me very weird and wonderful questions – I couldn’t even tell you what they were!” 

Thomas Wilkinson (pictured below), 19, who studies UAL Art Foundation Diploma and was also named Reach Academy Student of the Year at the Exeter College Student Awards 2022, has been offered a place to study Architecture at the University of Cambridge.  

He said, “I applied last year also. I think this year I felt much more prepared and because it was separated from taking my A Levels, I had more time to nail my portfolio and personal statement. 

“The Reach Academy has been tremendously helpful. Martin Gilbert really helps elevate everyone’s applications and when you go to him with questions about improving your personal statement or what to put or how to approach interviews, he is always incredibly supportive.  

Exeter College student smiling

“Exeter College is a really nice environment where you feel like you’re encouraged to aim high and take opportunities. Both students and staff have encouraged me to do my best.” 

Troy Dale, 18, studied at St James before coming to Exeter College. His offer to study Physics at Oxford is particularly impressive as he is the first Exeter College student to receive an offer to study Physics for several years. 

He said, “It’s going to be really exciting studying at such a prestigious place for four years doing the subject I’m passionate about. 

“The application process was challenging. I had never done any academic interviews, so it was an experience. I thought that even if I didn’t get in it would be a good learning experience.  

“I only thought about Oxford at the end of last year so it’s not something I had thought about pursuing before. I just thought I would go for it and try my best and perhaps good things would happen. 

“Even though I wasn’t part of the Reach Academy, Martin took me in as one of his own, helped me with my personal statement and offered loads of support still. I felt like I had all the support I needed to apply there.” 

Students with offers to study will find out if they are guaranteed a place after their 2022 exam results. 

Want to join Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College? Apply online now. 

*The national averages come from the application data released by the University of Oxford at the end of each application year. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Students Celebrate 100% Pass Rate

Exeter College students are celebrating after achieving a 100% pass rate in this year’s International Baccalaureate (IB) results.  

“I wish the students well in their future endeavours and would like to thank them for being such a key and vibrant part of the Exeter College family for the past two years,”

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive

This year over a third of students (34.3%) achieved 40+ points. This is the equivalent of five A Levels at A/A*, putting them in the top five to ten per cent of students in the entire world. One candidate, Julietta Harris, achieved an incredible 45 out of 45 possible points and will be heading to Oxford to study Law with European Law in September. 

The IB is an internationally recognised qualification which allows students to study six subjects across a wide range of disciplines spanning languages, arts, humanities, maths and sciences. Students are also required to study theory of knowledge, complete an extended research essay and a portfolio, which are all graded to calculate final points. 

While some might point towards the fact that this year’s results were a combination of calculated grades and actual grades, we must not take away from the exceptional results that this year’s students have achieved; they mean that many of Exeter College’s IB students are now going on to fulfill their dreams of studying at world leading universities.  

John Laramy, Principal and Chief Executive of Exeter College said, “This year we celebrate running the IB for 20 years and our students have delivered world class results, fitting of our 20th anniversary year of delivering the qualification.

“The fact that the outcomes on the IB are calibrated internationally, across a broad and demanding range of subjects mean that these students really do exemplify our vision of becoming an exceptional college. I wish the students well in their future endeavours and would like to thank them for being such a key and vibrant part of the Exeter College family for the past two years. 

“I would also like to thank all of the staff who teach on, coordinate or support the delivery of the IB, these outstanding results are the result of talented and passionate staff working with excellent students, this year, during an unprecedented time.”

This year the cohort had an average point score of 36.8, way ahead of the world average which is currently 29.65 (2018/19). 

Find out more about the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College.  

You can still apply online now to study with Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College.  

Exeter College is enrolling soon for a September start.  

Exeter College Student Accepted at Prestigious American University

As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we’re talking to some of the inspirational students, staff and alumni who have helped make us the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today. In this piece, we talk to one of our current high-flying students who has been accepted into a world-leading university…

An Exeter College student is set to jet across the Atlantic to study with Harvard University after being offered a place with the world-renowned Ivy League university.  

Charlie McNamara, 18, is currently in the second year of her International Baccalaureate (IB) with Exeter College and, after a lengthy application process, has been one of around just 5% of applicants to be accepted to study with Harvard.  

“I was so happy when I found out that I just burst into tears,” said Charlie, who will be studying for a Liberal Arts degree.  

“I logged in to the system to find out, and I just read ‘congratulations’ on the screen and burst into tears as all my work had paid off. It was a huge challenge even to make the application, and I didn’t make any assumptions about getting in, but I knew I wanted to try and I’m so glad I did.”  

Charlie, who has lived in Devon all her life, has been successful in applying for financial aid with the University, which will see the world-renowned institution pay over 90% of her expenses around tuition, accommodation, travel and subsistence. Harvard tends only to accept around 2,000 applicants in a year, making Charlie’s achievements even more remarkable.  

It has been a long road to Harvard for the 18-year-old, with the application process taking around a year to complete and significant exams, interviews and forms to fill out along the way.  

“Harvard was always the dream – my absolute first choice,” said Charlie. 

Charlie will be taking up her place at Harvard in September 2021

“I started working on how I could do all this over a year ago. I had to take the American SAT exams and their application process was a lot more personal than here in the UK. They asked for a lot of information on my background, my hobbies and my interests, as well as my education history.” 

With successful SAT results behind her, Charlie then had to make her case to Harvard in a process that is notoriously difficult to get through. With support from the Exeter College Reach Academy, staff members and her family, Charlie had everyone backing her to make a success of the application. 

Charlie continued: “Everyone was wonderful in helping me get in, and I’m just so grateful to have this opportunity. 

“I’m incredibly proud of myself and I can’t thank people enough for helping me.” 

It could have been a very different education journey for Charlie. She originally applied to study A Levels with Exeter College but was convinced at her enrolment appointment to consider moving to the International Baccalaureate as a way to continue exploring the subjects she enjoyed most and gain an internationally-recognised qualification.  

Charlie heeded the advice of her lecturer and never looked back, studying six subjects within the IB as well as a core unit. Her studies saw her take on English, Maths, French, Global Politics, Psychology and Environmental Science as well as spend time on creative, active and community-focused projects.  

The former West Exe student said, “When I arrived at enrolment, the lecturer asked me to think about the International Baccalaureate as an option because of what I was saying I was interested in. I decided to try the IB for a few weeks, but once I started I didn’t even think of doing anything else!” 

Speaking about her time with Exeter College, Charlie said, “The teaching here is really good. I enjoy the style we’re taught in on the IB. It’s very interactive, and they allow for personalisation within the classroom. 

“The teachers seem to enjoy teaching and that makes it more fun for us. It’s a very challenging course, with a lot of work, but everyone is so supportive.”  

Charlie will find out her results on the IB this summer and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the College’s IB results last year when 100% of students passed and over half of the students achieved the grades requested to study at the University of Oxford. 

Charlie’s Exeter College Tutor Clara Rodriguez said, “We’re incredibly proud of Charlie and what she has achieved. To get an offer at one of the best, if not THE best, universities in the world is a huge accomplishment, and we’ve all been smiling since we found out the good news. 

“Charlie has been an exemplary student and we can’t wait to see what she achieves going forward.” 

Charlie’s four year study programme at Harvard will start in September 2021 after she takes a year out to spend some well-earned time with her family. She will get the chance to specialise her Liberal Arts degree at Harvard during the course, and one day hopes to move into humanitarian aid or international relations as a career.  

Interested in Exeter College?

Find out more about the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College.

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