International exam success for students at The Red Maids' School in Westbury-on-Trym

The Red Maids' School at Westbury–on-Trym, the oldest girls' school in the country, is leading the way in academic success with its first set of results for the International Baccalaureate.

The school, which was founded in 1634, introduced the IB Diploma in September 2009 alongside A-levels to give the girls a choice of routes to follow in the sixth form.

According to The Times 2011 online league table, the school's average point score was 36.6 (the international average is usually approximately 29), putting it in fourth place in the country.

Headteacher Isabel Tobias said: "Delivering the IB Diploma has been a marvellous educational experience for staff and students and we are thrilled with our first set of results. The girls have really excelled across the board."

Of particular note were Isobel Millar, who achieved 100 per cent in an English paper, and Louise Cottle, who achieved a diploma score of 42 out of a possible 45 points, which, in a typical year, will put her in the top two per cent of students worldwide.