Burford School celebrated its most impressive A-Level performance in recent memory this August, with results ranking among the finest in the institution’s four-and-a-half-century history. Staff expressed immense pride in the accomplishments, attributing them to the dedication of students and the tireless support of teachers.
On Thursday 13 August 2026, 114 pupils collected their examination outcomes. The year group’s mean grade improved from a C+ in 2025 to a B-, while average point scores rose from 34.6 to 37.1.
The proportion of top grades reached a notable milestone, with more than a quarter of all entries securing A* or A classifications, climbing from 19 per cent previously. The percentage of learners achieving three A-Levels at A*-A or above increased substantially, jumping from four per cent to 15 per cent.
Beyond these headline numbers, progress data painted an equally encouraging picture. Independent value-added calculations from Alps and FFT positioned the Oxfordshire institution among the leading quarter of sixth forms nationwide.
Product Design, Economics, Psychology and Sociology each ranked in the upper decile nationally for learner advancement from their baseline positions. Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, History and Further Mathematics also featured within the top quarter for student progress.
Breaking down individual subjects revealed genuine breadth of achievement. Half of all Chemistry candidates earned A* or A grades. In History, more than a third attained that same standard. Every Art student achieved between A* and B, alongside 88 per cent of Economics pupils. One in four Politics entries resulted in an A*.
School-leavers are progressing to diverse destinations, encompassing Oxbridge colleges, Russell Group institutions and specialist providers, pursuing programmes ranging from Natural Sciences to creative and vocational qualifications.
The outcomes highlight a Sixth Form that has developed a strong reputation for balancing academic aspiration with comprehensive pastoral care on its expansive rural site bordering Burford.
Pupils select from an extensive array of A-Level subjects and receive tailored guidance toward higher education, apprenticeships and career pathways through dedicated careers support and application assistance.
The wider school experience forms a significant component of provision. Sixth Formers maintain active involvement in sports and performing arts via the Athletic Foundation and the Burford Institute of Music, with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme remaining a longstanding feature of enrichment activities.
The Sixth Form occupies its own purpose-built facility, featuring a common room for meals and relaxation, collaborative workspaces, a quiet study area and computer suite alongside the main library. Rather than wearing uniform, students adhere to a smart dress code, marking the transition from school pupil to emerging adult.
Headteacher Mr M Albrighton has described a culture grounded in three core principles the institution terms Reach, Participate and Respect, an ethos that spans from Year 7 through to Sixth Form and, based on this year’s evidence, seems to be producing strong outcomes.
Applications remain open for September 2026 admission, though only one week remains, with late submissions considered although course options may be reduced. Comprehensive details regarding subjects, enrichment opportunities and bursaries appear in the school’s Sixth Form prospectus.
For an institution established in west Oxfordshire in 1571, this year’s examination results serve as evidence that Burford’s narrative continues to be shaped by the young people flowing through its corridors.