Click to view the full version: WASCZ | Highest Mark in the World! Students Achieve Multiple Pearson Edexcel Awards
On 20 November, WASCZ was invited to attend the annual Pearson Edexcel Awards Ceremony, where the school received multiple accolades from the official examination board. In the 2025 global IGCSE and A Level examinations, WASCZ students distinguished themselves across subjects including Mathematics, English, Art and Music, securing the highest marks in China, Asia and even worldwide, once again demonstrating the school’s exceptional academic strength. At the same event, WASCZ was once again named an Outstanding Pearson School 2025, reaffirming the school’s rigorous academic ethos and commitment to whole-person education.
Over the years, WASCZ has consistently received both the Diversity Award and the Outstanding Pearson School Award, achievements that reflect the school’s relentless pursuit of teaching excellence, the outstanding academic performance of its students, and the unwavering ambition of the entire WASCZ community to reach new academic heights.
Behind these remarkable top scores lie the stories of passion, perseverance, reflection and transformation that define each student’s journey. We invite you to explore the experiences of our award-winning students and revisit their growth and discoveries at WASCZ.
B. Pan Grade 11
IGCSE Further Mathematics-Highest Mark in the World
GCSE Statistics -Highest Mark in China
Having joined the WASCZ in Grade 2, B. Pan has spent ten formative years growing and learning here. From the early signs of mathematical talent in primary school to his present goal of studying Mathematics at Imperial College London, his trajectory has been steady and resolute.
Achieving a full mark in Further Mathematics and a score of 9 in Statistics, B. Pan received these honours with a calm confidence. “This is an area I’m relatively strong in, so it feels like my hard work has paid off,” he shared. In choosing his IGCSE and A Level subjects, he naturally gravitated towards the sciences. The satisfaction of solving complex problems and breaking through learning barriers, as well as his genuine passion for mathematical exploration, continues to propel him forward.
Inspirational teaching has also fuelled his growth. When B. Pan hesitated over which university major to pursue, his Mathematics teacher, Ms Wang, encouraged him to lean into his natural strengths and dig deeper into what he excels in. She patiently guided him through difficult problems time and again. This trust and support became a beacon in moments of uncertainty. In his EPQ Project, B. Pan aligned his abilities with his interests by researching planetary orbits in astrophysics, extending the reach of mathematics into the vast expanse of space.
Nearly a decade of boarding life has instilled discipline and a steady pace of self-driven growth. Yet behind his modest and reserved exterior is a strong curiosity and a deep sense of collective pride. Football, basketball, rugby, rowing—Pan has tried them all. When his House football team was short of players, he stepped up without hesitation and helped lead the team to victory. Just as noteworthy is his generosity: he never keeps his strengths to himself. During evening prep, classmates often seek him out for help with mathematics problems. “My door is always open—anyone can come in and ask,” he says with a smile. Teaching others not only reinforces his own understanding but, more importantly, allows him to experience the joy of improving together.
Today, he has set his sights on Imperial College London, determined to pursue further studies in Mathematics or Statistics. As he steps from WASCZ onto the global stage, we are confident that his future holds boundless possibilities.
D. Dong Grade 11
GCSE Music-Highest Mark in China
D. Dong began learning the piano at the age of three or four, building a solid technical foundation. Yet, as she recalls, “it always felt like imitation.” The turning point came in Grade 8, when she joined WASCZ. Here, D. Dong received structured, professional music training and was offered far more performance opportunities. She appeared on stages such as the WASCZ Pops Concert, WAS Culture Festival and the Shanghai Magnolia Music Festival. This diverse and inspiring environment brought about a profound shift in her musical understanding: she began pouring her own energy and emotions into her music, creating beyond the foundations laid by others, and ultimately decided to pursue music as her future path.
Throughout her journey of exploration and trial, her piano teacher, Ms Liu, offered guidance that proved transformative: “When you play, you should be playing for yourself, not for the audience.” Whenever Dong struggled with confidence or hit a plateau in practice, Ms Liu’s encouragement served as a steadying force, enabling her to let go of self-imposed pressure, rebuild her confidence, and genuinely enjoy the process of music creation. Support from previous WASCZ music graduates also played a crucial role, with their experience helping her navigate the uncertainties ahead.
To her, music is like a close, understanding friend, yet her curiosity remains boundless. Marimba, music production, film scoring, electronic music… she has explored a wide array of musical domains, continuously broadening her artistic horizons. Effort and self-discipline are her most consistent traits. During breaks, she often stays alone in the practice room, analysing pieces bar by bar and rehearsing repeatedly. Academically, she maintains a strong sense of time management, making steady progress in English, Mathematics and other subjects. On the advice of her tutor, Ms Wang, she also selected Mathematics at A Level to ensure balanced development in both academics and the arts, giving herself greater flexibility for future choices.
As for the future, whether to pursue piano performance at the Royal Academy of Music or explore music production at Berklee College of Music, she is weighing her options with both excitement and anticipation. Yet one thing is certain: whichever path she chooses, she will compose a magnificent musical chapter uniquely her own.
A Constellation of Achievements
At this year’s awards ceremony, two graduates from the Class of 2025, who have already progressed to leading global universities, were also recognised for their outstanding achievements. I. Turner achieved the highest mark in Asia for A Level English Language and is now studying Geography at University College London. H. Zhou achieved the highest mark in China in A Level Fine Art and has likewise entered University College London, where he specialises in Linguistics.
As these honours travelled across borders to reach them, they served as a reminder for our students to carry the Wycombe Abbey spirit onto the world stage, telling stories of excellence through diverse academic languages and perspectives.
Every “highest score” earned and every weighty trophy brought home is not only evidence of our students’ diligence and talent. It is also a testament to the success of Wycombe Abbey’s commitment to a genuine education of the whole person. Here, academic achievement is only one dimension of growth. We place equal emphasis on the richness of our curriculum, the care offered through our boarding house system, the character forged through teamwork, and the personalised guidance that supports each student’s university pathway. Through this, we cultivate future global citizens with academic excellence, creative and critical thinking, and the qualities of leadership.
The honours received at the Pearson Edexcel Awards Ceremony are both an echo of past endeavour and a prologue to future exploration. WASCZ remains a steadfast harbour from which students embark on their journeys to pursue their dreams, reach for the stars, and shine on the world stage.
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