Warwick Academy is celebrating its most successful university and college acceptance rate in recent history with 98 per cent of graduates achieving their first option, the school said.

A total of 54 of the 55 graduates secured their top choice after a “summer of upheaval”.

The graduates of 2020 also achieved a 100 per cent pass rate across the International Baccalaureate Diploma, IB Individual Subjects and BTEC programme surpassing the worldwide pass rate of 79 per cent.

Dave Horan, the Warwick Academy principal, said: “After a most challenging year where international examinations were cancelled and examination boards made backtracks and U-turns, this is an outstanding result from the class of 2020.

“While examination results are hugely important we also focus on other key measures. Are our students getting into the university, college or career option that is the very best for them? Are they leaving Warwick Academy as well-adjusted young adults who can contribute to the society they find themselves in? And are they leaving with the skills to be effective decision makers?

“Looking at their success in navigating the Covid-19 examination environment, the resilience they have shown throughout 2020 and now their admission to wonderful tertiary institutions around the world, we believe we have hit the mark.

“I am very proud of all of them and this announcement celebrates all 55 of them and their achievements after a very difficult six months.”

In addition to the exam successes, 35 per cent of students achieved 35 or more points. IB diplomas are awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance.

Pupils who took the IB Diploma and scored over 35 points included: Anna Francoeur with 41 points, University of Florida, her subject is undeclared; Jordan Etemadi, 40 points, McGill University, Canada – Economics; Kathryn Mason, 39 points, University of Edinburgh, UK – Accounting and Finance; Christina Costello, 37 points, Fordham University, USA – Business; Kayode George, 37 points, Ryerson University, Canada – Film; Sophia Marsh, 36 points, Queens University, Canada – Commerce; Jaeshri Romeo; 36 points, University of British Columbia, Canada – undeclared; Nadia Attride-Ramella, 35 points, University of Edinburgh, UK – Civil Engineering; Ellie Cordeiro, 35 points, after a gap year – Queens University, Canada – Business; Saxon Davis, 35 points, University of British Columbia, Canada – General Science; Alexys Murray, 35 points, University of Bristol, UK – Biomedical Science; Logan Soares, 35 points, University of Southampton, UK – Marine Biology; Ethan Sousa, 35 points, University of Cardiff, UK – Mechanical Engineering; Shani Tucker, 35 points, University of Southampton, UK – Biomedical Science.

Those who took IB Individual Subjects and scored over 30 points are: Alexandra Mullholland with 32 points, Elon University, USA – Psychology; Ariel Taylor, 31 points, University of Brighton, UK – Psychology; Kylah Hall, 31 points, Word of Life Bible Institute, USA – Bible Studies.

BTEC programme pupils who achieved a Distinction or higher are: Holly Wakely with a double Distinction, after a gap year, Bond University, Australia – Hospitality; Taj Lowery, Distinction, High Point University, USA – subject undeclared.

The school thanked all the staff involved with the class of 2020 including the careers team as well as the pupils’ parents for their support over the past academic year.