Success in schools is interesting to define and being one of the leading international schools in Asia, at Garden International School we are no stranger to scrutinising what success is and how it looks and feels.
One of the easiest measures is always to look at academic outcomes. At GIS we don’t shy away from the excellent exam results that we have year-on-year, placing us among the top schools globally. We also don’t apologise for the high expectations of our students and the academic rigour in the school that allow us to celebrate these achievements annually.
But success is so much more, and the results are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes a school a successful place where students thrive and are set up for lifelong success.
Let’s start, however, with the figures.
In 2025, 94 students graduated from our Year 13 cohort. Gaining qualifications in 24 different A level courses. 66% of grades achieved were A*-A and 86% of grades A*-B.
155 students completed their IGCSE qualifications in 29 subjects, with an incredible 71% of all grades being A*-A and 90% A-B.
These grades achieved by large cohorts of students across a diverse range of subject courses make GIS students stand out both locally and globally.
Adding Value
Beyond just top grades we also celebrate in 2025 the value added for every student who studies at GIS. Value added is a global measure of what a student is statistically expected to achieve, based on standardised testing and prior qualifications, compared, to what they go on to achieve.
At GIS, the data demonstrates the effect of high quality teaching and learning, meaning students are not only getting top grades but are also far exceeding their expectations. On average every IGCSE grade achieved by a student at GIS was 1.5 grades above their expected grade.
Compared to the UK (dotted black line) and other international schools globally (black solid line), this demonstrates the impact of learning at GIS. Similarly, for A level, all grades achieved were on average 0.55 grades above the expected grade level.
University Destinations
Our consistently strong A Level results, in conjunction with our exceptional personalised GIS Diploma program and enrichment opportunities, ensure that our graduates are highly sought after by the world’s leading universities. This year, 1 in 5 GIS students gained acceptance to a top 10 global institution, and 1 in 2 were admitted to one of the world’s top 100 universities.
*According to QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities
The current A Level cohort will pursue studies in a diverse array of 41 different courses, spanning fields such as: Accounting, Architecture, Biochemistry, Biology, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Creative Fashion Direction, Computer Science, Dentistry, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Geography, Law, Material Science, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, and UI/UX Design.
2025 Key Academic Achievements
- 71% of all grades at IGCSE were graded A*/A
- 66% of all grades at A Level were A*/A
- 90% of all grades at IGCSE were A* to B
- 85% of all grades at A Level were A* to B
- 47% of our IGCSE students achieved 8A*/A & above or straight A grades
- 49% of our A Level students achieved at least 3 A*/A grades
- Our GIS Students attend a range of top world-class universities, including Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and LSE
- Our Class of 2025 will go on to study 41 different courses across 45 institutions in 12 different countries.
We are immensely proud of our students for their exceptional achievements in 2025, which are a testament to their relentless effort, dedication, and perseverance, as well as the unwavering commitment and support of our teachers.
But what else?! Beyond the grades, students at GIS have a wealth of experiences and a journey that shapes them well beyond just incredible academic success. Our specially curated curriculum, which building resilience, responsibility and being always relevant along with our caring, nurturing staff and a wider supportive community allows students to grow into graduates who are truly set up for lifelong success.
Once again, congratulations to our 2025 cohort for their remarkable achievements. Your hard work and perseverance have truly shone through. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers for their crucial guidance, support, and commitment to our students. Additionally, we are grateful to our parents for their encouragement and commitment, which also play a significant role in helping our students reach their goals.
By Amy Ward
Head of Secondary, Garden International School
