News

Pupils at King Edward’s School, Birmingham are celebrating after receiving top marks in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

The maximum score of 45 points was gained by three boys, Yifei Chen, Anyi Wang and Dominic Wong, a score achieved by less than 0.2% of students worldwide out of over 165,000 IB students in total. A further 12 scored either 44 or 43 points and 41% of the cohort of 103 attained scores of 40 points or above, with the average score being 37.9 points. Over half of the year group achieved grades of 7 or 6 in all three of their Higher Level subjects, the equivalent to three A*/A at A-level.

Keith Phillips, Acting Chief Master, said: “These are excellent results, which once again place King Edward’s amongst the very best IB schools in the world, and I am delighted for both the boys and their teachers.

“The majority of our boys will now go on to the very best universities to study the most demanding subjects, and through the rigorous and holistic education provided by the IB Diploma they will be well prepared for their time at university and beyond. The boys should be very proud of their achievements and I wish them every success as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

Yifei Chen, who achieved the maximum 45 points and will read philosophy, politics and economics at Trinity College, Oxford, said: “I haven’t taken it quite in yet, I just can’t find the words! I’m very excited about university and also pretty nervous as there’s a long reading list to do, but overall I’m excited.

“I joined KES in Year 9 and I’ve got so many good memories. There are so many good teachers and I’ve made lots of good friends. I don’t think there’s anywhere on Earth quite like it.”

Anyi Wang, who will read mathematics at Trinity College, Oxford, said: “I wasn’t really expecting it because when you walk out of exams you only remember the hard bits. I came in today just wanting to meet my offer, so to get 45 points is a really nice surprise. KES has prepared me for these exams and will set me up really well for the rest of my life.”

Dominic Wong, who will study medicine at King’s College London, said: “I was expecting good results as I’d done the hard work, but it was a total surprise to find out I’d got 45 points.

“I can’t wait to go to university. It’s definitely going to be a challenge but I can’t wait to apply myself to studying medicine and doing the best I can.”

In September 2010, King Edward’s replaced A-levels with the IB Diploma for its Sixth Form provision. The IB Diploma comprises six subjects within which pupils must study English, mathematics, a science, a language and a humanities subject. Pupils also complete an extended essay on any subject, study Theory of Knowledge and undertake a range of extra-curricular activity and community service.