Sixth Form Results, universities & careers

We encourage our Sixth Formers to set their horizons on what’s next and on how they can reach their goals, whatever these may be, while also exploring their identity and beliefs. We have worked hard to achieve co-education that really works, successfully transitioning and integrating pupils so that they can inspire each other to live out their full potential.

Our results continue to be exceptional and mark a richly rewarding conclusion to our young people’s careers at Frognal. This year, 93% of A Level grades achieved by UCS students were A*–B and 74% were A*–A. Such positive outcomes for a pupil body that also dedicates countless hours to partnerships, community and charity ventures, indicate that we are striking a healthy balance between the studious and the socially responsible.

We convey to our pupils that success comes in many forms: through our willingness to try new things, to discover our true selves and our place in the world, and through our ability to build successful relationships in the process.

93%

of A Level grades achieved by UCS students were A*–B

74%

students scored straight A*–A grades in 2024

leavers headed to prestigious overseas institutions

92%

of 2024 leavers set for undergraduate study at 1st/2nd-choice university

100%

of medics with offers met the conditions of their preferred university

Results summaries

We are understandably proud of our outstanding track record in public examinations but the key to this success lies in establishing the right balance for each and every pupil between academic ambitions, pastoral needs and interests outside the classroom and beyond.

University destinations

This year the vast majority of our leavers are going on to undergraduate study either in the UK or abroad, 92% of whom are headed to their first or second choice university. Our destinations include some of the most renowned institutions in the world; 23 of this year’s leavers secured offers at Oxford or Cambridge and the courses they will pursue include Experimental Psychology, Spanish and Arabic as well as more traditional courses such as Engineering, Maths, Geography and History. Our Medics will be taking up places at Oxford, UCL, Kings and Bristol to study Medicine.

This year we also saw a resurgence in students taking up offers in London; 37 of our students are headed to LSE, UCL, Imperial and Kings and a number are taking up places at SOAS. Despite the intense competition for places at Edinburgh, 11 of our students will begin their undergraduate studies there this autumn. We also have students excelling in the Creative Arts – one of our students is heading to the Royal Academy and 2 will be completing Art Foundation courses at Kingston and UAL.

Additionally, 14 pupils are heading to prestigious overseas institutions, for example in the US, we have students taking up places at Penn, USC and New York University. We also have a number of students going to McGill and the University of Toronto in Canada, and one leaver going even farther afield to Australia!

Careers advice

The bespoke and comprehensive advice and guidance that are available throughout Years 12 and 13 (aka Transitus and Sixth) also help lay the groundwork for possible future employment. Careers evenings and networking events, our PSHE and Sixth Form programmes, and contact with the Alumni Office are all supplemented by talks from distinguished guest speakers.

Fully informed, and equipped with the customary UCS resilience and resourcefulness, our pupils go on to forge productive careers after Higher Education.

Voices and Views

“Ultimately we get happy outcomes because the process of making sure our students make the right UCAS choices is so in-depth, careful and pupil-centred. By the time they submit their university applications, they have an array of choices. The vast majority receive the offers and grades they want. ”

Rebecca Baxter Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form)

“Teachers here expect a lot from pupils, and the pupils expect a lot from themselves. They achieve superb exam results but it is their willingness to question and challenge, and engage in clubs, societies and community projects, that creates such a stimulating atmosphere.”

Thomas Underwood Director of Studies

“The standards are super high but the teachers don’t leave people behind and instead bring them up to the level of the rest. The pupils all want to do well and that desire is helped by the teachers pushing us. ”

Ellie Afek UCS pupil, 2021–2023

“We offer careers advice, research, access and in-person encounters, including weekly talks, a Careers Fair and a networking event for Year 12s to talk to professionals. This all-encompassing assistance is boosted by work experience and internship opportunities.”

Rebecca Baxter Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form)

“UCS pupils are confident, open-minded and flexible in their thinking. They attain exceptional grades at GCSE and A Level and they possess a flair and creativity that makes them highly desirable to university tutors and future employers.”

Mark Beard Headmaster