Truro and Penwith College has shared how a student from Falmouth is one of the top achievers in the world

Gabe Higgins received a full-mark score of 45 points on the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB), a result that is equivalent to five A-stars at A Level.

Gabe attended Falmouth School before heading to college and has been serving at The Working Boat Pub in Falmouth alongside his studies

The college said he was attending an open event at the University of Cambridge when he received his results and later discovered that he is one of the most successful students on the planet.

Truro College said: "Gabe achieved his remarkable full-marks-feat during the toughest IB year in recent history with only 25 students in the UK and fewer than 180 students worldwide achieving the top score of 45.

"He is now set to study a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at the University Centre Truro and Penwith. Gabe will be applying to study Architecture at the University of Cambridge from September 2024 and will be guided through his application with help from the College, including taking part in its Oxbridge Support Programme."

Gabe holds the College's IB and University Centre prospectuses out in front of him. (Image: Truro and Penwith College)

Gabe is now progressing from the IB to the University Centre Truro & Penwith. The college has shared some words from Gabe after receiving his results.

He said: "When I got the news I couldn't quite believe it. I really didn't think that I'd get the top score, it's all been a surprise but I am very happy that lots of hard work over the last two years has paid off."

"The College's IB Coordinator and Oxbridge Lead Angie and my History Lecturer were super helpful. History was the subject that I felt would be hardest and my lecturer was really supportive. My parents were also incredibly supportive during times of intense revision at home.

"All the lecturers at Truro College were really good at teaching the IB. The College has great facilities and teaching for everything, it's a great environment to be taught in."

Gabe is now the joint-highest achiever of all time at Truro College. He had been exploring his options to study four A Levels until a conversation about the IB drew his attention and it 'immediately felt right'.

Truro and Penwith College also shared that another student from Falmouth has achieved amazing results. Lucy Bate who previously attended Penryn College, achieved A*,A*,A in Biology, Chemistry, and Maths

Lucy is now set to study Medicine at the University of Exeter. She told the college: "I did the Medics Academy alongside my A Levels, it was really good, really helpful for getting into Medicine. I probably couldn't have done it without that."

The College is still accepting applications for students to start in September. Visit truro-penwith.ac.uk to start your journey.