Pangbourne College is delighted to announce it has achieved its best-ever number of A* grades, with students achieving unprecedented levels of success in this year's examinations. Following the opening of the College’s dedicated Sixth Form Centre in September 2025, 13% of all grades awarded this year were the highest tier of A* or its equivalent. 

The newly established Sixth Form Centre has provided an environment of academic focus, collaboration and independence, allowing this year’s cohort to reach unprecedented heights. The results reflect outstanding individual achievements across both A Level and BTEC programmes, securing destinations at some of the world's most prestigious universities.

Mr Oliver Knight, Head of Pangbourne College, commented:

"We are incredibly proud of our students for achieving these historic, record-breaking results. The dedication, resilience and ambition shown by the Class of 2026 have been nothing short of exemplary. The establishment of our new Sixth Form Centre was designed to inspire excellence and give our senior students the resources and independence they need to thrive. Seeing that vision translate into a phenomenal 13% of top grades is a testament to the hard work of both our students and our exceptional teaching staff as well as the unwavering support of parents. Pangbourne continues to foster an environment where every individual can fulfil their academic potential."

Among the many success stories this year, are several standout individual performances from students who have been at the College since Year 7 as well as those who joined for their two years of Sixth Form study:

• Rory: Arriving in Year 7, Rory has achieved a remarkable three A* grades and one A. After taking a gap year, Rory will go to the University of Cambridge to study Engineering.
• Faith: Having joined Pangbourne College in Year 7, Faith has achieved a stellar set of results with an A* in Sociology, an A* in Geography, and a Distinction* in Media BTEC. Following a well-deserved gap year, Faith will be heading to the University of Exeter to read Liberal Arts.
• Ed: Also a member of the Pangbourne community since Year 7, Ed earned an A* in Geography, an A* in Photography, and a B in Sociology. He has secured his place at Durham University to study Geography.
• Max: Since joining the Sixth Form in September 2024, Max has consistently excelled, culminating in straight A grades (AAA) in Economics, Politics, and Geography. He plans to take a gap year before studying International Business Management at Newcastle University.
• Bea: Joining the Sixth Form in September 2024, Bea perfectly demonstrates the strengths of Pangbourne's flexible curriculum by combining A Levels and BTEC courses. Achieving an A* in Photography, a Distinction* in Enterprise, and a Distinction* in Media, she is bound for the University of Exeter to study Media and Communications.
• Lottie: Lottie further highlights the widespread acceptance of mixed A Level and BTEC qualifications by elite Russell Group institutions. With an A* in Sociology, an A in English, a Distinction* in Media, and a B in her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Lottie will read Sociology at Durham University.
• Ida: Ida achieved a fantastic A in History, a B in Politics, and a B in English Literature. She will be attending the University of Edinburgh to study History of Art and English Literature. Before her studies begin, Ida is embarking on a highly anticipated gap year featuring a volunteering and expedition programme in Central America.

Mr Mark Seccombe, Senior Deputy Head Academic, added:

"These results are a brilliant validation of our academic philosophy at Pangbourne. We are seeing incredible dividends from providing a flexible, modern curriculum which caters to individual strengths. The remarkable achievements of students who are combining rigorous A Levels with high-level BTEC courses prove that this offers a powerful pathway to the UK's top Russell Group universities. We wish our students every success as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey."

A significant number of students have secured their first choice places at University, including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Durham, Exeter, Warwick, Newcastle, Bristol, Bath, Manchester, Loughborough, Kings’ College London and Cardiff. Students are going on to study a wide variety of courses from Engineering, Law, Liberal Arts, Geography, Economics, International Business Management and Media & Communications. 

Pangbourne College extends its warmest congratulations to all students, parents, and staff who worked collectively to make this milestone year a resounding success.