Brentwood School IB results top co-curricular iceberg

Outstanding exam results are the icing on the cake for an International Baccalaureate Diploma cohort who have not only studied hard but thrown themselves into the co-curricular life of Brentwood School.

Head of School, Cameron Davies, a leading light in the Performing Arts’ faculty, was happy with his 38 points and will now head off to Durham University to read Music. Violinist Cameron has also been appointed as Director of Music at St Chad's College for 2023-24, a position usually filled by final year students.

Cameron described his time at Brentwood as ‘a seven-year whirlwind’ during which he conducted the chamber choir in Evensong, led the violins in the symphony orchestra, led the student barbershop and performed in a programme of over 70 concerts.

Cameron said he didn’t let himself look forward to university until he had his results in his hands, however, celebrations were put on hold as he was immediately back in school as part of our end of term charity fundraiser that involves over 90 students putting on a performance of High School Musical in just 24 hours.

Among an excellent set of results, there were some particularly impressive success stories and three (out of seventeen) students achieved 40 points or more. Abigail Rice, scored 44 points, (with 45 the maximum) which puts her in the 99th percentile of IB students worldwide and secured her place at Queen’s College, Cambridge, where she will read Economics.

Abigail, a Senior Praepostor, took advantage of every opportunity Brentwood had to offer and is now one step closer to her ambition of a career in Finance. In addition to her outstanding academic record, she has served as an Officer in the RAF cadets, been part of our Model United Nations group, 1st clarinet in the symphony orchestra, ensemble director in House Music and editor of the IB Magazine.

Other students celebrating firm offers from prestigious universities were Precious Babatunde with 42 points who is off to read Biomedical Sciences at St George's, University of London; and former swim team captain and water polo player Josh White who will continue his sporting prowess at Warwick as his 40 points tally secured his place to study Economics.

Sandra Laur, an HMC Scholar from Estonia, fared ‘much better than expected’ with her 38 points which will take her to Kings' College London where she will read International Relations en route to her dream of becoming a lawyer. Hayley Kwok, another veteran of House Music; MUN contributor and committed musician, gained 38 points and a place at University College London to read French and Management; and Armin Ramhorst secured 37 points and a place at Edinburgh, studying International Relations.

However, for one Brentwood School mum, Mrs Harj Dhesi, watching her daughter Diya pick up her IB results yesterday was a bittersweet moment. For this Brentwood School stalwart, who admitted to being a bit tearful herself, the moment marked the end of 27 years of school runs!

Mrs Dhesi, and husband Bal, watched proudly as Diya, House Captain of South and a Senior Praepostor, opened her envelope to reveal 34 points securing her spot at Exeter to read Medical Sciences.

But the couple, who have seen four children and numerous nieces and nephews through Brentwood, might find their school run break is just a brief hiatus! With their first grandchild due any day, Mr and Mrs Dhesi have their sights set on the next generation. “We might in two or three years be coming back again!” joked Mr Dhesi.

The School’s Director of the IB Diploma Programme, Mrs Hollie Carter, commented: “I’m so happy to see our students receive such wonderful results which have completely set them up for their futures. We have students going off to destinations such as Queen’s College, Cambridge, Durham, and Edinburgh. I am so proud of everything this IB cohort has done. In addition, all of this wouldn’t have been possible without our incredibly hard working staff who put pupil progress at the heart of what they do. So a huge thank you to them.”