A-Level Results 2026

From Cambridge Uni to Sizewell C – Ipswich High School Celebrates A-Level Success and Diverse Destinations.

Destinations include: Cambridge, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, Warwick, Newcastle, Leeds, Reading, York and RADA.

Degree apprenticeship offers include: Sizewell C, OCS, Rolls-Royce, Zurich and Balfour Beatty.

A landmark year for Ipswich High School as members of the first cohort of boys to join Year 7 following the school becoming co-educational in 2019 complete their Sixth Form journey.

Ipswich High School is celebrating another strong year of A-Level results, with **one in three grades awarded at A*-A**, an increase on last year, and a growing number of pupils achieving a clean sweep of A*/A grades.

But behind the results is a story that goes far beyond grades.

This year’s leavers are heading in many different directions: to leading universities including Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Durham, Warwick, Newcastle, Leeds, Reading, York and Manchester, to specialist destinations including RADA, and to prestigious degree-level apprenticeships with major employers including EDF and OCS.

For Ipswich High School, that breadth of opportunity reflects what Sixth Form success is really about: helping each young person find the pathway that is right for them, while building the confidence, friendships and independence they will carry with them long after Results Day.

The school has also continued its three-year upward trend in individual pupil Value Added, demonstrating the progress pupils make during their time at Ipswich High, while the Sixth Form itself continues to grow and flourish.

There is particular significance to the Class of 2026. The boys receiving their A-Level results this summer include members of the first cohort of boys who joined Ipswich High in Year 7 in 2019, when the school became co-educational.

The whole year group also experienced the disruption of the Covid pandemic during Year 7. Seven years later, they leave school having navigated extraordinary circumstances together – with results to celebrate, exciting futures ahead of them and, for many, friendships that will last a lifetime.

Dan Browning, Head of Ipswich High School, said: “What makes me proudest today isn’t simply a set of grades – it is the young people behind them and how far they have come.”

“This particular year group has shared quite a journey. They were in Year 7 when Covid disrupted school life, and some of our boys were among the very first to join Ipswich High when we became co-educational. Since then, they have grown up together, supported one another, made lifelong friendships and discovered what they are capable of.”

“There are some wonderful academic results today, but success at Ipswich High has never meant everybody following the same route. Some pupils are heading to Cambridge and other leading universities; others have secured exceptional degree apprenticeships and will be learning in the workplace while earning a salary. What matters is that each of them leaves knowing themselves, excited about what comes next and confident enough to carve out their own path.”

“That combination of ambition, friendship and individuality is what our Sixth Form is all about. We are enormously proud of them, and wherever they go next, they remain part of the Ipswich High community.”

Among this year’s individual successes is Esther, who achieved A*, A, A in English, History and Latin and will read English at the University of Cambridge.

Esther said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Cambridge is something I’ve worked towards for a long time, so seeing my results today and knowing I’d got into my first-choice university was a really proud moment.”

“IHS has been such a supportive environment throughout the university application process and I’m very grateful to the teachers and Sixth Form team who have helped make it happen. Before university, I’m looking forward to travelling in Canada and France.”

Beatrice achieved A, A, A, A in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and her EPQ and has secured a place to study Zoology at the University of Bristol. She is now planning a gap year and considering whether to pursue Zoology or broaden her studies into Biology when she begins university.

Beatrice said: “My fondest memories at IHS are of the friendship groups I’ve had throughout my time here, right back to Prep – and my proudest moment is definitely today!”

“I’m planning a gap year before deciding exactly what I want to study next. Results Day feels like the end of one chapter, but also the start of something completely new.”

University is only one of the routes being celebrated. Fay has secured a Nuclear Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with EDF at Sizewell C, combining university-level study with practical experience in one of the region’s most significant industries.

Fay said: “I knew I wanted a route where I could continue learning but also get real experience at the same time. The apprenticeship gives me both, and the fact that it is happening so close to home at Sizewell makes it even more exciting.”

“It shows there are so many different ways to build a career after Sixth Form. My proudest moment at IHS was organising a Model United Nations conference for Year 8 and Year 9.”

For Fay’s parents, Results Day marks the culmination of a much longer journey. Her mum said: “One of my proudest things has been watching Fay throw herself into school life – from cricket and hockey to leading activities for younger pupils -and seeing how much that has helped her grow in confidence.”

Her dad added: “My proudest moment is seeing Fay arrive at Ipswich High as a young girl and now leave as a confident young woman.”

One of the most distinctive stories belongs to Adam, who has already started a Project Management Degree Apprenticeship with OCS, linked to the University of Suffolk.

Adam took the unusual step of approaching OCS’s Managing Director directly about creating an opportunity for young people. Those conversations helped establish a new apprenticeship pathway at the company, with Adam now one of four apprentices to have begun their careers through the scheme.

Adam said: “I’ve already started work, I’m learning all the time, and I’ll be studying towards my degree alongside it. Ipswich High has always encouraged us to be confident enough to put ourselves forward and create opportunities rather than wait for them.”

“My proudest memory is really my whole journey – starting here in Year 7 as part of the first cohort of boys, becoming Head Boy in Year 13 and now leaving school to begin my career in facilities management.”

Other Ipswich High pupils have also received apprenticeship offers from organisations including Rolls-Royce, Zurich and Balfour Beatty.

As this year’s leavers take their next steps, Ipswich High School’s growing Sixth Form continues to champion academic ambition alongside individuality, curiosity and the confidence for every pupil to find the future that is right for them.

Ipswich High School’s next Sixth Form Open Evening takes place on Thursday 1^st October 2026. Book a place.