Students celebrate highest ever pass rate of international course (From Gazette Series)

Students at Winterbourne International Academy celebrate highest ever pass rate of international course

9:30am Tuesday 2nd August 2011 in News By Alexandra Womack

STUDENTS of an international course in Winterbourne have celebrated their highest ever pass rate.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) was launched at Winterbourne International Academy in 2006, when the academy was then known as The Ridings’ High School, and made it the only school in South Gloucestershire to offer the globally-recognised qualification.

Now, after two years as an independent academy, 2011 has been the most successful year so far with students achieving a 100 per cent pass rate.

It means the academy has smashed the IB average pass rate of 78 per cent.

Principal Rob Evans said: "This year’s IBDP results are really pleasing and further confirm Winterbourne International Academy as a leading provider of the international qualification in the South West."

Among those receiving their results were Beth Hughes and Valerie Holt, scoring 38 and 37 respectively, out of a maximum 45 points – well above the national average.

Beth has been offered a place at the Royal Veterinary College, while Valerie has been accepted to study Mathematics at the University of Southampton.

Another of the academy’s IB students, Rebeka Benedek, has been accepted on to a Mechanical Engineering degree at Cardiff University following her results.

According to research carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), IB entrants holding 35 or more IB points were more likely to attend a top 20 higher education institution than those studying more traditional courses.

A-level and GCSE students at the academy will have to wait until later this month to find out their exam results.