At GCSE level, the results are well above the national average in all the schools, with particularly strong grades achieved at Stonyhurst College (41% 9-7) and Wimbledon College (38% 9-7). Students at St Ignatius College Enfield did especially well in the sciences, with results in Chemistry, Physics and Biology all above 60% 9-7.
In Scotland, students at St Aloysius College, Glasgow, achieved their best results in recent years at National 5 (91% A-B grades), and the results in Highers (83% A-B) and Advanced Highers (68% A-B) were well ahead of this time last year.
At A-Level, the results attained at Wimbledon College were strong (61% A*-B), while the A-level students at Stonyhurst really excelled themselves this year, achieving a hugely impressive average of 80% A*-B. Some of the sixth formers at Stonyhurst take the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and this year their average IB point score was 33 points, equivalent to AAB at A-Level.
In their A-Levels this year, students at St Ignatius College Enfield achieved an average of 43% A*-B.
Jesuit schools promote academic excellence as part of their wider mission to develop students’ full human potential, taking Jesus Christ as their companion and model. Pastoral care and co-curricular programmes are also very strong. In line with Catholic Social Teaching, the schools have particularly well-developed programmes for voluntary service, and international links and exchanges. They also work closely with other Jesuit organisations such as Jesuit Missions and the Jesuit Refugee Service, to support their work with the marginalised.
At its heart, Jesuit education is about preparing “men and women for others.” This means forming students who recognise their gifts as responsibilities to be used in service of others, especially the poor and marginalised. Academic excellence is pursued, but always within the wider context of justice, faith, and a desire to contribute positively to society. Jesuit schools encourage dialogue between faith and culture, respect for diverse traditions, and a commitment to reconciliation and peace. They foster a spirit of generosity and leadership, so that graduates leave not only with knowledge and skills, but also with a deep sense of responsibility to make a difference in the world.
Saint Ignatius Loyola, the 16th century founder of the Society of Jesus and Jesuit schools, said that a Jesuit school should be about “improvement in living and learning for the greater glory of God and the common good.”
The Jesuit Institute works with the Jesuit schools in Britain to help them to better understand, promote and live out the vision and spirit of St Ignatius Loyola in education. Find out more at jesuitinstitute.org.
You can watch a short film about the Jesuit education journey below.
Banner photo courtesy of Wimbledon College
