A Truro college student is celebrating being the highest achiever in Cornwall and one of the highest in the world, after receiving an incredible full-marks score of 45 points on the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Truro College, a result which is equivalent to five A-stars at A Level.

Scarlett Hughes is now set to study Human, Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge University.

“I’m really proud and I’m really excited for university and for life in general.” “I’d like to thank my lecturers, all my friends who I’m extremely proud of, and my family.” Said Scarlett.

Scarlett, who previously went to Truro School,was naturally delighted with the results, she said:

“When I found out I was over the moon, it was total excitement. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. I’ll be smiling for a week.”

“I’ve loved every second of the IB and met some really amazing people, with amazing lecturers. After university I think I might go into law or diplomacy.”

Scarlett is now the joint-highest achiever of all time at Truro College. She had previously seen a post on social media about an earlier IB top scorer at Truro College, which had influenced her to choose the course. Now she joins them as a high achiever herself, to inspire others.

Aside from the full-marks 45 points, this year’s IB cohort at Truro College also, incredibly, featured four students who achieved 44 points. Nearly half the cohort achieved 40 points or over and the average point score was over 38.4 points, well above the global average of 33.2.

Martin Tucker, Principal of Truro and Penwith College, said: “These are an outstanding set of results considering the significant challenges both the students and staff have faced during the Covid pandemic. I am delighted that the students are able to celebrate their considerable successes and look forward with confidence and excitement to the next stage in their education and personal development. These results once again highlight the significant strengths of the IB programme and the quality of teaching and support offered to all the students.”

Four of Truro and Penwith College’s 20 Oxbridge students were from the IB cohort and many are progressing to other prestigious universities including LSE, UCL and Exeter, studying a wide range of subjects including Biochemistry, Law, Aeronautical Engineering, Dentistry, Medicine, Philosophy, Psychology, Geography, Politics and Languages.

Of the IB Diploma, Scarlett said: “All my lecturers have been really inspiring, if you want to carry on with a lot of subjects, I’d absolutely recommend it. It teaches you so much beyond just your academic studies, including really valuable life skills. My IB extended essay was on Global Politics, on the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya. I have never felt so inspired by subjects as I have at College, particularly Global Politics.

“I chose Truro College because I came to an open evening and knew it was where I wanted to be. It was so organised. I was feeling really inspired, it’s a wonderful environment to learn in. Seeing the successful past track record of the IB also inspired me.”

Angie Liversedge, the IB Coordinator and Oxbridge Lead at Truro and Penwith College, said: “Despite having to transfer to online learning twice over the past two years due to the pandemic, our IB students have achieved some truly phenomenal results. They have exemplified the very best qualities of the International Baccalaureate student, reflected by their academic excellence and by being compassionate, open-minded, principled and reflective learners. I am incredibly proud of them; not only of their exceptional academic achievements but also of the way they have sustained their passion and enthusiasm for learning throughout their IB course.”