Exeter School’s 2026 sixth form leavers returned today to share in the celebration of their A Level and BTEC results, reflecting on personal goals achieved, challenges overcome, and the character that defines our school. Three pupils scored four A* grades with a further thirty-four pupils scoring three A*, A, Distinction* or Distinction grades, which is over 35% of the year group. Distinction* is the highest available BTEC grade and is recognised by universities as being equivalent to an A Level A*.
At A Level, almost a quarter of all grades achieved were the very best A* grade with 53% being A* or A and close to 80% being A*, A or B. At BTEC, 100% of all grades recorded are at Distinction* or Distinction.
“A Level and BTEC qualifications continue to pave the way for our leavers’ next steps, and it’s fantastic to see our pupils’ futures diversifying beyond the traditional university route. Alongside those securing places at Oxbridge and within the Russell Group, we’re seeing more pupils than ever choosing prestigious degree apprenticeships and pathways into the world of work; a real testament to the quality of careers advice and guidance on offer here. It is especially rewarding, in my year as Acting Head, to see so many of our outgoing Upper Sixth pupils go on to such varied and exciting next steps,” said Mr Graham Bone, Acting Head. Mr Bone will hand over to Dr Adrian Rainbow, who becomes Head in September.
Exeter School pupils sat A Levels and BTECs in twenty-five different subjects, including Drama, Sport, Electronics and French where all pupils gained an A, A*, Distinction or Distinction* grade, a fabulous achievement for these subjects. Fifteen pupils also sat the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) with a phenomenal 80% of all grades being at A* or A.
This year, five Exeter School pupils are celebrating places at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, a remarkable achievement reflecting their talent, dedication and hard work. Max C (Head of School) and Lali C both secured places to study Biology at Oxford, while Max O and Cadan P secured places at Cambridge to study Engineering and Natural Sciences respectively, with Max C, Max O and Cadan P each achieving four A*s, a testament to their exceptional talent. Cadan P’s results were the highest in the year group, adding a further A* in his EPQ to his four A*s in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Henry B secured his offer to read Law at Cambridge but has instead chosen to take up a prestigious apprenticeship with UK law firm Bird & Bird, one of only three places they offer each year.
Kris K achieved an A* in Chemistry alongside As in Biology, Maths and Physics, and secured a place at Imperial College London to study Medical Biosciences. Deliah E, Deputy Head of School, achieved three A*s in Drama, Politics and Spanish and will study International Management at the University of Bath. Thomas G achieved three A*s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, alongside an A in Computer Science, and will read Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, while Matthew J achieved three A*s in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, alongside an A in Further Maths, and will study Aerospace Engineering, also at Bath.
Elsewhere, Sophia T achieved A*A*A to study Medicine at the University of Liverpool, and Yasmin T achieved AAB to study Veterinary Science, also at Liverpool, while the school has also supported two of last year’s leavers, Wilfred B and Grace H, in securing places to study Medicine at the University of Birmingham and University of Manchester respectively.
Some of our leavers are swapping the South West for altogether more exotic postcodes this year. Larissa K heads to the University of California, Irvine, while Adria H will be channelling her inner historian at La Sapienza in Rome, studying Ancient History just steps from the ruins she’ll be reading about. Lily M crosses the Atlantic to King’s College, Canada, and Becky M has turned her Distinction* in BTEC Sport into a sports scholarship at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Not to be outdone on the drama front, Becca M is bound for the bright lights of New York, taking up a place at the prestigious Stella Adler School of Acting, proof that Exonians really are heading for the world stage, in every sense.
Degree apprenticeships continue to prove a fantastic route for many of our leavers, combining professional experience with a fully funded degree. In addition to Henry B’s apprenticeship with Bird & Bird, Alex L has secured a place on a Chartered Management degree apprenticeship with Morrisons, one of only 10 offered nationally each year. Meanwhile, last year’s leaver Will A will return from his gap year to begin his degree apprenticeship with Airbus.
Assistant Head (Sixth Form), Mr Luigi Chu said: “It is a joy to celebrate the achievements of our sixth form leavers and to see their dedication and determination rewarded. Their results speak not only of academic effort but also of the resilience, independence, and character they have built through the wide range of opportunities at Exeter School. We are immensely proud of them, and they take with them our best wishes for success and fulfilment in the exciting paths they now choose, whether that’s university, a degree apprenticeship, a gap year, or straight into the workplace.”
Mr Chu and his dedicated sixth form team continue to provide support for Exeter School alumni after they have left the school and, this year, they have helped around a dozen of the class of 2025 (or earlier) gain entry onto courses at their preferred university, including PPE, History, Classics, Medicine, and Engineering. The school is proud of these alumni and celebrates their success, alongside the current leavers.
Mr Bone commented: “Watching this year’s leavers collect their results has been a genuine highlight of my time as Acting Head. Behind every grade sits a story of hard work, setbacks overcome, and the quiet determination that defines an Exonian. But results are only ever part of the picture – what stays with pupils long after they leave are the friendships, the shared moments, and the self-belief they’ve built along the way. As I prepare to hand over to Dr Rainbow in September, I do so knowing this school community will continue to support its pupils just as brilliantly as it has this cohort. I wish every one of them a bright and fulfilling future, and I’ll be following their journeys with real pride.”
Exeter School sends its most sincere congratulations to all our Upper Sixth pupils and to school leavers around the country receiving their results today and wish them the very best of luck with their next steps.
