Marlborough College is celebrating another year of outstanding A level success as pupils in the Class of 2026 receive the results that mark the culmination of two years of determination, focus and intellectual curiosity.
This year’s cohort has achieved an impressive set of outcomes across a broad range of subjects, reflecting both individual ambition and the support of an engaged and committed teaching body.
Of all grades awarded, 17% were at A*, while 51% were graded A*-A and 82% achieved A*-B.
Particular congratulations go to Sarah A, Hester B, Honor F, Toby M and William S who secured three A* grades; a further 16 pupils achieved two A*s, highlighting the depth of academic excellence throughout the year group. Marlburians were awarded 100 A* grades this year including 16 for Mathematics, 12 for Politics and 11 for Art; and in Music, our pupils achieved a clean sweep of top grades with 100% at A*-A. For 93 of our pupils, A* or A was their most frequent grade.
A common metric in schools is to look at the results amongst the top 150 pupils, and whilst at Marlborough we celebrate the full range of achievements of all pupils in all aspects of their schooling, if we were to state the grades of our top 150 pupils, they would be 23% A*, 68% A*-A and 96% A*-B.
While headline figures tell part of the story, the College recognises that every result represents a significant achievement. Whether meeting, exceeding or overcoming expectations, pupils have demonstrated passion, resilience and commitment throughout their Sixth Form studies. Analysis of outcomes against prior attainment data, once again, places Marlborough among the country’s strongest schools for providing added value and enabling pupils to achieve their full academic potential.
As a result of these achievements, pupils will now embark on a diverse range of university courses and professional pathways. 97% of the cohort have secured places at their chosen institutions and Marlburians will be joining the most highly selective UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, LSE, UCL, KCL, St Andrew’s, Warwick, Durham, Edinburgh and Bristol.
Alongside destinations across the UK, members of the Upper Sixth and OM community will shortly begin their studies at leading international institutions including Harvard, U Penn, Brown, Columbia, USC, NYU, Northeastern and Boston College in the US, Bocconi in Milan, IE Madrid in Spain, and McGill in Canada, alongside many more.
The Master Mrs Louise Moelwyn-Hughes comments:
‘The whole Marlborough community is delighted for our Upper Sixth as they receive their well-deserved A level results today and prepare for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. These excellent results reflect not only their academic achievement, but also the energy, commitment and character they have shown throughout their time at the College.
They have embodied the values of Marlborough and embraced the many opportunities offered by our distinctive co-educational full boarding ethos – leading in sport, music, drama, wellbeing, outreach, academic societies, charity fundraising and much more. They have made a remarkable contribution to College life and have enriched our community in countless ways.
It has been a privilege to know and support this outstanding year group, and we look forward to seeing all they will go on to achieve as Old Marlburians. My heartfelt thanks go to our pupils for all they have given to the College, and to my dedicated and talented colleagues whose expertise, encouragement and unwavering support have helped make these achievements possible.’
As they leave Marlborough and join the OM community, we extend our warmest congratulations to the Class of 2026 and wish them every success.
