Bravo to the Class of 2026 whose successes in this year’s A level/BTEC results confirm their deserved place in the illustrious and eminent roll of honour of RBAI. An exceptional 48% of grades secured were A*-A, and more than 9/10 grades were A*-C. Unsurprisingly, the post-school destinations for this outstanding group of young men are astonishing: the vast majority are going to university and, from QUB to Ulster, to the best, most prestigious, and most dynamic, universities in England and Scotland, and further afield to the United States, this latest generation of RBAI undergraduates will make a transformational impact wherever they go. The breadth of subjects being studied is extraordinary: from Medicine, to History, to Law, to Engineering, to Sport, to Business, and a hundred in-between, demonstrates the richness in qualities and ambitions which define this cohort. Similarly, an impressive number of students have opted to take the highly competitive route of apprenticeships and/or going straight into the workplace, having developed their skills and confidence at RBAI. Principal Dr Walker commented: “these results demonstrate the unique spirit of RBAI: a devotion to excellence, a respect for self and others, and a commitment to engage, and to become the difference that the world needs. Well done to a wonderful group.”
As is customary, it is valuable to draw attention to how our school leaders epitomised the successes of their classmates, and RBAI as a whole.
Head of School, James West secured the grades to read Medicine in at the University of Leeds. His Deputy Heads of School, John Cunningham secured the grades to read Industrial Economics at the University of Nottingham, and Jonah Power is off to Durham to read Mathematics and Physics.
Our Senior Prefects have similarly set the heather ablaze with their results: Adam Boyd will read Mathematics at QUB; Charlie Dobson will matriculate in the University of Glasgow to read Veterinary Science; Luke Holland secured his place at Brasenose College in the University of Oxford to read History; Matthew McAreavey is off to Loughborough to read Mechanical Engineering; Charlie O’Connor will read Building Surveying at Ulster University; Theo Wilson will enrol in University College London to read Neuroscience.
Individual performances were superb in the context of nationwide grades, and it is only right that attention is given to certain students who secured multiple A* grades at A level and BTEC equivalents, including Jonah Power (4); Ahmed Musaab, Jack Gibson, Felix McLaughlin, Zach Smith (3); Bailey Duncan, Adam Boyd, Jacob Smyth, Oliver Spollen, Luke Holland, Connor Ballantine, Conor Ritchie David Parpauta, James Smith, Ben Wilson (2).
However, it is invidious to only praise these students as successes were sustained across the year group where students outdid their own previous performances to become the best that they can be. Congratulations.