Varndean Sixth Form College in Brighton is celebrating another phenomenal year of exam success, as students achieve outstanding A Level and Level 3 vocational results. These impressive outcomes are a testament to the unwavering commitment, talent, and hard work of both students and staff.
The College recorded an impressive A Level pass rate of 98%, with over 50% of students securing top grades of A*-B and a quarter achieving a coveted A* or A grade, the highest ever. Over three-quarters of students achieved grades between A*-C, reflecting a consistent rise in academic performance.
Success also extended to vocational qualifications, where the College achieved an overall pass rate of 98%, with over 50% of students earning the highest possible grades of Distinction or Distinction*. Our Early Years Department celebrated huge success with 100% of their students passing the CACHE Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education, with 57% gaining an A grade or above. This underlines Varndean Sixth Form College’s strength across a diverse range of courses.
College Principal Donna-Marie Janson shared her pride in the results, saying:
“We are thrilled to see our students achieve such fantastic results. Their drive, resilience, and determination have truly paid off, and today we celebrate not just grades but the individual journeys and effort behind them. Our dedicated staff have played a vital role in supporting and inspiring our students every step of the way. I am so proud of what we’ve achieved together as a college community, and I look forward to seeing our students continue to flourish in whatever path they take next. Congratulations to each and every one of you – you’ve absolutely earned this success.”
Varndean Sixth Form College continues to stand out as one of the top educational providers in Sussex. Renowned for its high academic standards and inclusive ethos, the College offers a transformative learning experience that equips students not only for university and careers, but also for life beyond education. With a focus on excellence, personal growth, and well-being, Varndean Sixth Form College remains a place where every student thrives.
In addition to its A Level and vocational programme, Varndean Sixth Form College also provides students with the opportunity to pursue the highly regarded International Baccalaureate Diploma and earlier in July, IB students achieved an impressive average diploma score of 34.65 out of 45, which is higher than the global average of 30.58. This year’s results reflect the tremendous effort and academic excellence of our students, with 50% achieving over 36 points (the equivalent of AAA at A Level) and 24% securing 40 points or more (equivalent to A* A* A) — placing them among the top-performing IB students globally.
Here are some of the highlights of Varndean Sixth Form College’s student success this summer:
- Maria Wakeham (formerly Downlands Community School), who achieved an outstanding 3 A* grades and 1 A grade, plus an A* in the Extended Project Qualification, and has secured her place to study Classics at the University of Cambridge.
- Ella Anderson (formerly Varndean School), who achieved 3 A* grades and will also be heading to the University of Cambridge to study Natural Sciences.
- Lysander Pierce (formerly Dorothy Stringer School), who achieved A*AA, plus A* in the Extended Project Qualification, and will be studying English & French at the University of Bristol.
- Emine Arslan (formerly Davisons CE School), who achieved A*AA and will be studying English at the University of Bristol.
- Artemii Teplov (formerly Peacehaven School), who achieved A*A and Distinction* and will be studying Computer Science and Mathematics at Loughborough University.
- Ellen Benant (formerly Brighton Girls), who achieved AAB (plus A* in the EPQ) and will be studying Psychology at University of Sheffield.
- Ben Chalmers (formerly of Priory School, Lewes) AAA (plus A in the EPQ) studying History, University of Manchester.
- Ayla Mackrory-Jamieson (formerly Downlands Community School), who achieved an outstanding 44 points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and will be attending London School of Economics to study Politics and International Relations.
- Mellissa Nielsen-Williams (formerly The Turing School), who scored 42 points in the IB Diploma and will be heading to the University of Edinburgh to study Spanish and English Literature.
- Tom Vanstone (formerly of Warden Park Academy), who scored 40 points in the IB Diploma and will be studying Mathematics at the University of Glasgow.
- Maya Mcdevitt (formerly Dorothy Stringer), who achieved 40 points in the IB Diploma, studying Geography with Environmental Mathematics at the University of Leeds.
Congratulations and well done to all our exceptional students, and we wish them the very best of luck for their future careers.
