Varndean Sixth Form College is proud to announce another exceptional year of achievement for students on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The May 2025 cohort has once again demonstrated the dedication, curiosity, and resilience that define our thriving IB community.
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. The average point score across the cohort was 34.53 at time of release, which based on historic results is likely to be well above the international average.
IB Coordinator and Director of Curriculum Quality and Development, Lee Finlay-Gray, said:
“We are immensely proud of every single IB student. The results are a testament to their hard work, intellectual ambition, and commitment to global-minded learning. Behind every score is a story of perseverance, creativity, and growth.”
Our IB students leave Varndean College not only with world-class qualifications but also as confident, compassionate and critically-minded young adults. Many are now preparing to take their next steps at leading universities in the UK and abroad. At time of writing, 86% of university applicants have secured places at Russell Group institutions, with a number still pending, in addition to international applications for which we should have updates soon. This year’s UK destinations include:
- University of Warwick – Mathematics
- University of Leeds – Economics and Geography; Genetics; Geography and Environmental Science
- University of Bristol – Psychology, Politics and International Relations
- London School of Economics and Political Science – Politics and International Relations
- University of Edinburgh – Spanish and English Literature
- University of Sussex – Neuroscience with Psychology
- University of Manchester – English Literature and History
- University of Glasgow – Mathematics
- University of Exeter – Finance; Business and Management
In addition to academic success, our students have embraced a rich programme of enrichment, community engagement and creativity through the IB’s unique core elements—Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).
Principal Donna-Marie Janson commented:
“These results demonstrate the power of the IB Diploma to shape ambitious, inquisitive, and socially-conscious young people. We are so proud of their achievements and cannot wait to see how they continue to flourish and contribute to the world beyond Varndean Sixth Form College.”
With its emphasis on critical thinking, intercultural understanding and academic breadth, the IB Diploma continues to offer a distinctive and transformative educational experience at Varndean Sixth Form College. We warmly congratulate the ‘Class of 2025’ and wish them every success in their exciting journeys ahead.
