In the first year of traditional examinations since 2019, the hard work and dedication of the 2022 cohort — who had not been able to sit their GCSEs in person — paid off, as 94% will now go to their first-choice university.

In the UK, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and Edinburgh are the most popular destinations for Westminsters, with other Russell Group and University of London institutions also high on the list.

Pupils will also now go overseas to study, notably in the USA – to seven of the eight Ivy League schools: Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale, amongst others.

Acceptance into these universities was thanks to a high level of excellent individual achievement. 121 pupils were awarded at least three A* grades (or equivalent Pre-U D1/D2 grades). Of this 121, 70 achieved four A* grades and five pupils each took five A* grades.

A total of 783 examinations were sat — almost four per pupil — and covered a wide range of subjects and disciplines in English, Mathematics, the sciences, modern and ancient languages, arts, and humanities. This breadth of subject interest is reflected in university courses, with many now set to study medicine, engineering, economics, PPE, law, individual sciences, English and languages.

Westminster’s Head Master, Dr Gary Savage, said: “Covid has undoubtedly cast a long shadow over schools, with the disruption to learning in the past two years causing widespread anxiety. In light of this, our A-level pupils’ results this year are truly remarkable and a testament to their hard work, keen intellect and dedication to their studies. It also reflects the drive and dedication of a hugely talented team of teachers and support staff, as well as the backing of parents and governors, without whom none of this would be possible.

“Academic achievement on this scale is the result of an individual and collective commitment to excellence, and the successes we are celebrating today underline what an extraordinary school this is. I pay tribute to all our pupils, who have worked so hard, with such good humour and fortitude, and wish them well as they embark on new ventures – as Old Westminsters.”