So many of our leavers this year from the Upper Sixth have surpassed all their expectations in their A level and Pre-U exam results, matching our highest ever A* or equivalent performance, thus enabling them to continue into their chosen university courses with confidence.

Just under 60% were awarded either Distinction levels (D1, D2, D3) or A or A*. An impressive 26% of our entries were either graded at the two highest Distinction levels (D1 or D2) or A* in A level, this includes 17 results at the highest available Pre-U grade of D1. These two top Distinction grades are both rated more highly than an A* at A level in the UCAS tariff. 12 pupils gained three or more A* or D1/D2 (top Distinctions) two of whom achieved a clean sweep of these top grades in 5 or 6 subjects.

Downe House will not be publishing its grades in the press league tables because our curriculum includes the new Cambridge Pre-U which makes it difficult to make precise comparisons with the A level results.