Record of high grades reflects sustained focus across the sixth form
Girls at St Mary's School, Cambridge are celebrating another year of excellent A-level results, the independent school has said, with almost three quarters of grades awarded at A*–B and a clean sweep of A*–B for students across a dozen subjects.
The school reported that pupils achieved 100% A*–B in subjects including psychology, economics, geography, art, textiles, classical civilisation and Mandarin. In four subjects — Latin, French, Spanish and photography — every grade was an A*, while 60% of grades in English literature were awarded at A*.
Head of the school, Hannah Helliar, reflected on the significance of the results for a school with a long history of educating young women. She said the outcomes were a sign of students' commitment and the school's supportive environment. The school highlighted that its Year 13 cohort will take up places at a range of high-profile universities, from Cambridge to St Andrews, Durham, LSE, UCL and Warwick.
"Watching our sixth-form students celebrate their well-deserved success today has been incredibly rewarding. These results are testament to their hard work, intellectual curiosity and resilience," said Hannah Helliar.
What the results mean for pupils and the local education landscape
Several pupils secured top sets of results. Two girls obtained A* A* A plus an A* in their Extended Project Qualification and will be heading to Cambridge — one to study law — while others will embark on courses ranging from accounting and chemistry to classics, computer science, history, law, pharmacy and theatre studies.
Parents and local residents in St Mary's will recognise the continuing role independent schools play in sending students to the country's leading universities. For this cohort, success was achieved across both traditional academic subjects and creative and modern language areas, underlining a broad curriculum.
- Overall A*–B rate: 73%
- Subjects with 100% A*–B: psychology, economics, geography, art, textiles, classical civilisation, Mandarin
- Subjects with 100% A*: Latin, French, Spanish, photography
- English literature A*: 60% at A*
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| University destinations | Cambridge, St Andrews, Durham, LSE, UCL, Warwick |
| Subjects highlighted | Accounting, chemistry, classics, computer science, history, law, pharmacy, theatre studies |
Teachers and the sixth-form community were singled out by students for the role they played in preparing candidates for both examinations and university entry. One pupil, who will study law at Cambridge, said the school's teaching and support had helped with subject work and the university application process, and that she felt well equipped for the next stage.
Another student, who has been at the school since age four, praised the close-knit nature of the sixth form and the personalised attention from staff that made demanding work feel manageable.
Local perspective and wider implications
In St Mary's, where parents weigh school performance alongside cost and community ties, results such as these will figure in conversations about school choice and provision of post-16 education. The mixture of high attainment in both languages and STEM-related subjects will be of interest to local employers and further education providers seeking well-qualified applicants.
For the school itself, the outcomes sustain a narrative of longstanding academic achievement and open doors to competitive university places. For pupils, families and the wider community, the results will be a source of pride and a reminder of the varied routes young people take as they move from the city to further study and employment.
As the new academic year approaches, attention will turn to how schools maintain support for mental health and balance ambition with wellbeing — a topic many families in St Mary's say matters as much as grades when measuring success.
