Bournemouth, Education | Posted on August 20th, 2026 | return to news

Talbot Heath celebrates outstanding A Level results with A* and A grades nearly double the national average

Talbot Heath School is celebrating an exceptional set of A Level results, with students achieving some of the strongest outcomes in the school's recent history.

An impressive 54% of all grades were awarded at A* or A, almost double the current national average of 28.3%. In addition, 81% of grades were achieved at A* to B, alongside a remarkable 100% pass rate, highlighting the academic excellence, resilience and determination of students.

Further cementing its reputation for academic excellence, Talbot Heath is currently ranked as Dorset’s highest-performing girls’ school for A Level A* to A grades, based on the latest published 2026 results.

This year’s cohort has a particularly inspiring story to tell. Having begun their secondary education in September 2019, they had been in school for only a matter of months before the national lockdown of March 2020 transformed education across the country. Despite the unprecedented disruption to their formative years, they adapted with remarkable maturity, embraced new ways of learning and approached every challenge with determination and resilience.

Throughout that period, Talbot Heath ensured that students continued to receive a first-class education, seamlessly transitioning to high-quality online learning and maintaining the close support and academic guidance for which the school is renowned. The results achieved today are a powerful testament to the students’ perseverance and the strength of the Talbot Heath community.

Several students secured a full set of A* grades, while leavers are progressing to an impressive range of prestigious destinations and degree programmes. These include Biomedical Sciences at Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading institutions for science and medicine; Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool; Acting at the highly competitive Central School of Speech and Drama; Music at Durham University; and History at the University of Exeter. Many students have also secured places at leading Russell Group universities.

Head, Ross Cameron, said:

“I am absolutely thrilled by these outstanding results and delighted for our students. They are thoroughly deserved and reflect years of hard work, ambition and determination. This cohort of pupils has faced significant challenges during their school journey, and have shown extraordinary resilience and character in meeting these challenges so successfully.

“We are immensely proud of everything that they have achieved. Their success is also a reflection of the exceptional dedication of our staff and the strong partnership between our school and pour families. At Talbot Heath, our small class sizes and personalised approach mean that every student is known, valued and supported as an individual. Today’s results demonstrate the impact of that bespoke educational experience, and we look forward to seeing our students thrive as they embark on the next stages of their journeys in life.”

These results once again underline Talbot Heath’s reputation for outstanding teaching, exceptional pastoral care and a commitment to helping every student fulfil their potential. As this talented cohort moves on to exciting futures, they leave Talbot Heath with achievements of which they, their families and the entire school community are immensely proud.”