Academic Excellence Recognized
Catholic and Independent Schools Across UK Report Strong A-level and BTEC Results
Key Points
St Anne’s Catholic School, Southampton reported a 100% pass rate across BTEC qualifications, with nearly a quarter of A-level grades being A* or A, and 86% of EPQs awarded A*-B, underscoring strong academic breadth beyond A-levels.
At St Aidan’s/St Anthony’s Catholic Sixth Form in Sunderland, the school celebrated top university destinations, including a student, Joshua Ogunbode, earning a place at Oxford to study Experimental Psychology after achieving an A* in Psychology and A in Maths and Sociology (the cohort also reported 15% A*-A and 45% A*-B grades).
Oakham School in Rutland posted a 99% overall pass rate, with 38% of results at A*-A and 66% at A*-B; 13 pupils achieved all A* and A grades, and many students secured places at top universities including Oxford, Durham, Exeter and LSE.
Coleg Cambria reported exceptional results across its Deeside, Wrexham, Northop and Llysfasi campuses, alongside substantial investment: £14 million for a Nant health, wellbeing and education complex at Yale (Wrexham) and £10 million for Hwb Arloesi at Llysfasi, plus a new 50-bedroom student accommodation and a dedicated Student Union hub.
St John Plessington Catholic College’s Sixth Form highlighted strong outcomes with 77% A*-C and 97% A*-E, with standout students like Charlotte Williams (A*, A, A) heading to the University of Liverpool and Georgina Thurston (A, A, B) to Durham, illustrating individual progression to prestigious universities.
Catholic and independent schools across the UK are celebrating strong A-level and BTEC results, with standout performers from Southampton to Sunderland. The Tablet reported that St Anne's Catholic School in Southampton achieved a 100% BTEC pass rate, with nearly a quarter of all A-level grades at A* or A.
Across England and Wales, schools highlighted not just grades but clear paths forward — to top universities, apprenticeships, and careers. Individual students earned places at Oxford, Durham, LSE and Exeter.
St Anne's and St Aidan's Lead Catholic State School Success
St Anne's Catholic School in Southampton delivered across the board. Nearly 25% of A-level grades were A* or A. An impressive 86% of Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) — independent research projects students complete alongside A-levels — were awarded A*–B, according to The Tablet.
At St Aidan's and St Anthony's Catholic Sixth Form in Sunderland, the headline story was Joshua Ogunbode. He earned an A* in Psychology and A grades in Maths and Sociology. That was enough to win him a place at Oxford to study Experimental Psychology. The cohort overall posted 15% A*–A grades and 45% A*–B, according to The Tablet.
Oakham School Posts 99% Pass Rate With Top University Placements
Oakham School in Rutland had a strong year. The independent school recorded a 99% overall pass rate. Some 38% of all results were graded A* or A, and 66% reached A*–B. Thirteen pupils achieved straight A* and A grades across all their subjects.
Students from Oakham secured places at some of the UK's most competitive universities. Oxford, Durham, Exeter and the London School of Economics were among the destinations. The school said staff and students alike showed resilience and personal growth throughout the year.
St John Plessington Students Head to Liverpool, Durham and Beyond
St John Plessington Catholic College's Sixth Form in Bebington reported 77% of grades at A*–C and 97% at A*–E. Those are strong numbers for a state sixth form. Charlotte Williams stood out, earning an A*, A, and A, and heading to the University of Liverpool.
Georgina Thurston also impressed, scoring A, A, and B — good enough for a place at Durham University. The school said multiple students are heading to universities including Leeds and Reading, showing broad access to higher education across ability levels.
Coleg Cambria Pairs Record Results With £24 Million Investment
In Wales, Coleg Cambria announced exceptional results across four campuses: Deeside, Wrexham, Northop and Llysfasi. The college backed its results with serious investment. It committed £14 million for a new health, wellbeing and education complex at its Yale campus in Wrexham.
A further £10 million is going into an innovation hub called Hwb Arloesi at Llysfasi. The college also built 50 new student bedrooms and a dedicated Student Union space. Leaders said the investment reflects confidence in student progression — whether to university, apprenticeships or employment.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
18
Articles
4
Reach
22
