Congratulations to Bibi Falck (W26) and Josh Allen (H26) on their outstanding IB Diploma Programme results. Achieving full marks is a rare (fewer than 1% across the globe*) and remarkable accomplishment, and one we are immensely proud of.
We asked them to share their reflections on life as an IB pupil and how the programme helped prepare them for the next chapter of their lives.
Bibi studied Higher Level History, French B and German B, alongside Standard Level Mathematics Analysis and Approaches, Biology and English Literature. Looking back on her IB journey, she is "most proud of my perseverance throughout the two years, and maintaining a consistent and continued work ethic even during particularly busy periods.”
Those busy periods extended well beyond the classroom. Alongside her studies, Bibi participated fully in School life. She was a member of the Amnesty International Society, including organising a fundraiser, completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, participated in tennis lessons, volunteered at the Godalming and Farncombe Food Bank, and was a member of the Essay Competitions Society. She also led a Scholars Discussion Group on History and Politics, took LAMDA lessons in Public Speaking and Drama, and was a peer mentor in German and History.
One of Bibi’s highlights of studying the IB was the Extended Essay, which allows pupils to undertake independent research on a topic of their choice. “My essay was titled 'How do the cultural memories of World War II in Germany and Italy affect their contemporary political identities'. I examined the difference in post-war attitudes between Germany and Italy and how these sentiments developed into their respective political landscapes today.”
This September, Bibi will begin reading History at UCL, where she looks forward to further developing the research-led approach she particularly enjoyed through the IB.
We could not be more proud of Bibi and Josh for each achieving the perfect IBDP score of 45 points. Their results reflect the hugely impressive commitment that they showed to their studies and they serve as a fantastic example to both our current IB pupils and to those considering joining our thriving IB Diploma Programme in future.
Catherine McDonald, Director of IB
Josh studied Higher Level Spanish B, Latin and Biology, alongside Standard Level English Literature, Mathematics Applications and Interpretation, and Geography.
While proud of his outstanding results, Josh, who was also awarded The Charles Wreford-Brown Cup as Sportsman of the Year, is particularly pleased with how he managed the demands of the IB with a busy co-curricular programme, “Apart from my final points result, I am most proud about the fact that I was able to balance the IB workload alongside playing a lot of sport for School and keeping up other co-curricular commitments that I wanted to. When I started the course, I thought it wouldn't necessarily be possible to do so.” Josh was the only boy in the year group to play 1st XI in all three major sports of football, hockey and cricket in the last academic year, as well as captaining the Royal Marines Pringle Trophy team. Together, Josh and Bibi exemplify one of the great strengths of the IB Diploma Programme: the opportunity to pursue academic excellence while remaining fully engaged in every aspect of School life.
For Josh, one of the greatest advantages of the IB was the broad range of subjects. “My favourite part of the IB was the opportunity to continue to study such a broad curriculum and thus continue to develop different skills across the six groups, something which I believe has set me up well for my career beyond education.”
After a gap year, Josh plans to study Spanish and Arabic at Durham University.
I am delighted by the continued growth and success of the IBDP at Charterhouse, and with the fantastic results achieved by the 2026 cohort; these are a fitting reward for all their hard work over the past two years. Not only did over 95% of them have their place at their first-choice university confirmed, but they also visibly led by example around the School, showcasing in all that they did that the IBDP can be a hugely positive and rewarding option both for pupils coming up through the Under School at Charterhouse and those who join us in the Sixth Form. That we have record numbers starting the IBDP this September is certainly part of their legacy as a cohort. Amongst the 14 pupils – a third of the cohort – who scored 40 points or above, special mention must go to our two pupils, Josh and Bibi, who got the perfect score of 45, a remarkable outcome achieved by only 0.2% of candidates worldwide.
Simon Allen, Director of Studies
When asked what advice they would give to younger pupils considering the IB, Bibi encouraged pupils to fully embrace every opportunity available to them. “A strong sense of motivation and grit go a long way towards achieving success in IB.”
Josh echoed this sentiment, reassuring prospective pupils that the programme can be successfully balanced with friendships, sport and wider School life. “It is a very rewarding experience and gives a great sense of achievement, as well as certainly being something where you get out what you put in.”
We wish Bibi and Josh every success in the next stage of their journeys.
*The IB has ceased publishing the number of candidates who achieved a perfect score of 45 since 2023 – valuing the importance of all pupils who undertake the IB. Data published prior to 2023 indicates that fewer than 1% of IB candidates achieved the maximum score of 45 points.
Join our Sixth Form Open Day on Saturday, 19 September 2026
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