It’s been the most unusual end to their secondary education, but today, students in Year 13 gained their IB Diplomas. All students passed, with the average point score for the group being 36 – far above the global average of 29 – with nearly a quarter of students gaining 40 points or more.

The qualification, whose core values promote an international mindedness and is highly regarded by top universities, is taught in 157 countries. This global awareness has influenced the students’ time in lockdown, as has the ‘Community, Activity and Service’ part of their studies; volunteering, coaching, fundraising and other community focused initiatives make up part of the Diploma.

Emily, who has been awarded a place at Durham University to study Music, has spent the past few months writing a trumpet concerto and has been helping a younger pupil with reading and writing.

Alice has taken been volunteering at the North Bristol food bank and working as a hospital porter at Southmead Hospital. She has secured a spot at York studying History.

Lucie took part in an NHS scheme to support someone who has been self-isolating and baked cupcakes every Sunday to give to Caring in Bristol. This autumn she will be heading to Cardiff University to study Law and French.

Arabella has been learning basic Urdu and about Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Most days she supports her grandparents who have been shielding, by cleaning, shopping and keeping them company. Her next step is to study Medicine at Queens’ College London.

IB Coordinator Mr Brealey said, “The ethos of the IB Diploma – and in fact, of Redmaids’ High itself - has influenced how many of our students have spent their time during lockdown. When they were expecting to be on study leave and sitting exams, they thought of ways to be productive and add value to those around them, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Head of Sixth Form, Lisa Jephcote added, “For students and teachers across the country and the world, the last few months have required a lot of adjustment. However, the results today reflect the hard work put in across several years at Redmaids’ High and we are excited for our students to be going out to make a real difference in the world.”