Students at King Edward’s School are celebrating after receiving excellent results in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
The maximum score of 45 points was gained by three boys, Abinav Baskar, Prerak Goel and Arnav Kulkarni, a score achieved by less than 0.5% of students worldwide out of over 160,000 IB students in total. A further 12 scored either 44 or 43 points and 45% of the cohort of 113 attained scores of 40 points or above.
The average score achieved was 38.7 points, almost nine points above the global average. 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.
Dr Katy Ricks, Chief Master of King Edward’s School, said: “I would like to congratulate the boys and their teachers on these excellent results, which have been achieved in the most unusual examination year in recent history.
“Academic success is important for our boys to attain places at the very best universities, but the educational experience of studying the IB Diploma is what really counts. An IB education develops many great qualities: resilience, open-mindedness and versatility, for example; qualities that will serve our boys well at university and as they progress into the global workplace in these challenging and uncertain times.
“I wish our boys every success for the future and look forward to hearing about the contributions they will make to society in the years ahead.”
Prerak Goel, who achieved the maximum 45 points and will read economics at London School of Economics and Political Science, said: “I didn’t expect these results at all, especially with not having any way to judge an exam performance due to the pandemic. I’ve had such great memories at KES and am grateful to the teachers who have prepared me so well for the future and helped me throughout my time at school, and cannot wait to start life at university.”
Abinav Baskar, who will read computer science at University College London, said: “It was fantastic to see so many things line up for me to get 45 points. In these unique circumstances, coursework played a more central role so I particularly appreciate teachers’ guidance for our submissions and KES’s encouragement of original thinking.”
Arnav Kulkarni, who also received the maximum 45 points and will read economics at London School of Economics and Political Science, said: “My results came as a great relief, given the ambiguity surrounding grade allocation in the absence of exams. With the heightened importance of coursework this year, credit must go to the teachers whose expertise and quality guidance was crucial to our year’s success.
“Ultimately, IB results may signify the end of my seven years at KES, but it is the friendships I have formed and memories through sport and trips that I will miss the most. KES has prepared me excellently for university life and my future career, and I am excited to tackle whatever challenges await me.”
King Edward’s is celebrating 10 years as a successful IB school. The IB Diploma comprises six subjects, and all students take English, mathematics, at least one science, at least one language and at least one humanities subject. Students also complete an extended essay on any subject of their choice, follow a Theory of Knowledge course and undertake a range of co-curricular activity and community service.
