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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. 

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.  

Why it’s a Great Time to Apply to Exeter College

Choosing where you’re going to college is an exciting milestone in any teenager’s life. You want to make sure you make the right decision for you and your future.  

Here are a few highlights of how our Ofsted Outstanding institution is continually improving; ensuring our place as an exceptional college in the heart of the South West, ready to welcome new students.  

Applications are open now to study with us in 2020. 

Results Day Success 

A Level Results day (2019)

This year Exeter College’s academic results have, once again, gone above and beyond national averages.  

Our inspirational A Level learners achieved an overall pass rate of 99.7%, well above the national average of 97.6%, while well over 50% of students were awarded ‘high grades’ of A*, A or B. 

On top of the impressive A Level results, our International Baccalaureate results are the best in the college’s history, with a 100% pass rate and almost a third of students achieving over 40 points out of a possible 45, putting them in the top 5% in the world. 

T Levels 

Last year we were announced as the only college in Devon to offer new T Level qualifications for 2020 delivery. This has helped cement our status as an education innovator and pushing new boundaries with technical education.  

In addition to our school leaver offering of Apprenticeships, A Levels and BTECs, T Level courses last for two years and aim to give learners practical skills for the workplace following their studies. 

You can apply now to study a T Level with us in Construction, Digital or Education and Childcare in September 2020. 

Additional courses will be rolled out from 2021. 

Personal Development Programme 

This academic year has seen the launch of our new Personal Development Programme for learners. This initiative enables students to tackle issues around citizenship, the environment and employability skills. 

This programme aims to boost the long-term progression and wellbeing our students and gives tutors extended time to tackle any individual issues our students want to raise about their studies.  

Gym and Dance Studio  

Exeter College’s New Gym (2019)

Our brand new Gym and Dance Studio opened its doors for the first time in 2019, giving our learners the opportunity to access industry-standard fitness equipment and a spacious dance studio. 

Students on sports-related courses use the equipment as part of their studies, while other learners can get student memberships to use the inspirational facilities.  

Mini Data Hub 

2019 also saw us open our brand new Mini Data Hub; a state-of-the-art facility complete with IT suites with industry-standard analytics software and specialist wide-screen display screens. 

Our Mini Data Hub is on the cutting edge of the digital world, helping our students to learn the IT skills required to thrive in data and analytics.  

Learner Voice and Student Representation  

It is important to us that we listen to our students. 

The Learner Voice programme gives students a say in the way that they learn and the experiences they have here at Exeter College. 

We use surveys and the Exeter College Students’ Union (ECSU) to hear your ideas, comments and concerns to inform how we do things around the college. 

The ECSU is and the Learner Voice programme is your chance to tell us how we can be the best college for you, so we can continue developing in line with the needs of our learners.  

Next Steps

If you would like to find out more about what Exeter College has to offer, pre-register and join us at our next Open Event on 15th January 2020.  

If you already know Exeter College is the right place for your future, apply online now. 

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