Taunton School students exceed world average in IB Diploma results

Twenty-six students from leading independent school Taunton School in Somerset have achieved strong results in the International Baccalaureate. The school is celebrating an average of 31.9 points, exceeding the global score and securing places at many universities across the world, including the University of Oxford. 

Top scorer Lila Oliff exceeded her offer minimum by 7 points, scoring 41 out of the possible 45. Lila joined Taunton School having moved from Mombasa, Kenya in 2021 to study the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form. Whilst at Taunton School, Lila was actively involved in life as a boarder as well as the Debating & Public Speaking Society, Amnesty International and played football for the Girls 1st team. In September she will begin her studies at her first choice university, the University of Edinburgh, where she will be studying Environmental and Natural Science. 

Other top achievers were Felix Mydlak and Theresa Oetinger both from Germany who achieved 39 points. Felix is set to study medicine at a university in Europe whilst Theresa is opting to take a gap year.

Their scores were followed closely by Christopher Lindsay and Henry Collins who attained 38 points. Henry attended both Taunton Prep School and Senior School before joining the Sixth Form. Christopher joined Taunton School after attending Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe to study the IB Diploma and focus on his passion for music.

Of the results, Theresa said; “I feel extremely relieved and happy about receiving my results. It’s been a great experience and I am so thankful to all my teachers who supported me so much throughout the two years.” 

The IB Diploma has been established for over 50 years with Taunton School being one of the first in the southwest to set up their IB programme in 2007. IB Coordinator Adrian Roberts, says: “The IBDP cohort of 22/23 have achieved another strong set of results, befitting of their hard work and dedication across a hard two years. It is a privilege to work at such a special place, where our IBDP students add so much to the community. It’s an honour to help them onto the next stage of their lives after Taunton School.”

Taunton School Headmaster, James Johnson, says: “The IB Diploma is a superb academic pathway – one of four on offer to students in the Taunton School Sixth Form. It maintains breadth of subject, puts creativity, action and service at the heart of student experience, develops a global outlook and demands exceptional time management and resilience. Completing the qualification is an achievement in itself and it is a pleasure to see so many students meet this challenge and excel. This is, as ever, testament to their hard work and the expertise and support of our teaching staff. Many congratulations to all involved.”