The London Academy of Excellence is celebrating a year of exceptional achievement, with a record-breaking number of students securing offers from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

As of this week, 62 LAE students are holding Oxbridge offers: 39 from Cambridge and 23 from Oxford. This represents a landmark moment for the school, with the total number of offers standing at almost two-thirds higher than the previous record. The success is not only unprecedented overall, but also sets new records for each university individually, alongside an exceptional conversion rate from interview to offer across both institutions. In addition, four students have been placed in the Cambridge winter pool and may yet go on to receive offers to study Foundation degrees.

This achievement speaks directly to social mobility and the power of prioritising the needs of our most disadvantaged students, such that the whole school community benefits. Around half of those holding offers this year have faced significant barriers durin their educational journey, including financial hardship, time spent in care, and having caring responsibilities themselves towards family members. That these students are so strongly represented among our Oxbridge offer-holders is something we are especially proud of.

Behind these impressive figures lies a deliberate and ambitious strategy. Over the past year, the school adopted a more expansive approach to Oxbridge applications, encouraging a larger and more diverse group of students to apply. This decision has paid dividends – not only in headline numbers, but in the experience and outcomes of students across the cohort.

Students have spoken powerfully about the benefits of being part of a wider Oxbridge community, where mutual support, shared preparation and high expectations helped to build confidence and resilience. Crucially, the impact of this approach extends well beyond those who ultimately received offers. The skills developed through the process – academic rigour, intellectual curiosity and self-belief – strengthen applications to a wide range of highly selective universities, improving outcomes for all.

This year’s Oxbridge success is a moment of pride for the whole school community, reflecting LAE’s commitment to opening doors, raising aspirations and ensuring that every student is supported to aim high and achieve their best.