The IGCSE is a challenging and diverse two-year course which culminates in examinations at the end of Year 11.
While Annabel has moved overseas, Anna Lamieri, who achieved 10 A*s, has now commenced the next important phase of her learning, the IB Diploma. Anna says the clean sweep came as a bit of a surprise. She says, “I was expecting it (A*) for some of my subjects, but with the others I was surprised. I didn’t feel so confident when I finished the exams.”
Dedication and perseverance played a big part in Anna’s success, along with lots of revision. “I always finished all my assignments and did more than what was required, and I started preparing two months before the exams. I was always studying when I didn’t have other activities. The thing I’m happy about is that I didn’t stop any of my sport or activities, so I always had a balance.” Anna played in Division 1 volleyball, basketball and football during the year.
Excellent teaching and guidance is essential to ensure students’ success. Anna says it was pivotal to her personal achievement, explaining, “The teachers made sure everybody really understood everything covered and ensured we did lots of revision.”
This year’s IGCSE results are some of the best in the school’s history, with 90% of all examination entries resulting in A*-C grades, compared with 67% in the UK. Indeed, 52% of students achieved at least 5 A*-A grades, compared with 21% in the UK.
The IGCSE provides a solid grounding for students as they move on to the IB Diploma course and Anna says she and her cohort are feeling very confident for this year as IB students. She says, “I feel like now I know what I need to do to achieve the results, but for the IB the effort needs to be doubled or trebled.”
IGCSE 2015 Fast Facts
- 90% of grades are A*- C grades, compared with 67% in the UK
- 52% of grades are A*- A grades, compared with 21% in the UK
- 88% of students achieved at least 5 A*-C grades