Celebrating Our 2025 IGCSE Learners: Ashley-Rose

We recently celebrated the outstanding achievements of our Year 12 learners in their 2025 IGCSE Results. Their resilience, determination, and hard work have led to incredible success both in and out of the classroom. Their success reflects the dedication, resilience, and curiosity we strive to nurture at Nexus.

This year, 52% of all Cambridge IGCSE grades were A or A*, and 55% of all Edexcel grades were 9–7, the equivalent of A*–A. Overall, an impressive 54% of all grades achieved were A*–A or 9–7, with the most common grade in English and Mathematics being an A* or 9/8.

One of these learners was Ashley-Rose, who achieved 10 A* or 9–8 grades in the 2025 IGCSEs. 

Ashley-Rose joined Nexus in Year 6 and is a keen performer, passionate about music, drama, and sport. She has taken part in every school musical since Mary Poppins, our first big production in 2022, and is a dedicated member of the Nexus Volleyball team. She plans to pursue Sport Science at university to continue developing her love for athletics and the human body.

We caught up with Ashley-Rose to talk about her results, how she prepared for her exams, and her journey at Nexus so far.

Could you introduce yourself (your first name, grade, and how long you have been at Nexus)?

Hi, my name is Ashley-Rose. I’m in year 12 and this is my 7th year at Nexus.

Which subjects did you take for your IGCSEs, and why did you choose them?

I took all the core subjects such as Science, Maths, English, and GP, but my chosen subjects were Drama, Music, and PE. Those are my biggest passions—I have always been drawn to the performing arts and have loved it for as long as I can remember. I am also really into sports and have been playing volleyball for 6 years. Looking ahead, I want to study Sport Science at university because human biology like the heart and muscles and how our body works has always fascinated me. I always want to learn more so I know I want to keep developing in that direction. However, I am not completely sure yet what specific career I would like to go into.

How did you approach preparing for your exams? Do you have any tips or strategies that might help other learners?

My main strategy for exam preparation was working through past papers. They were incredibly useful for familiarising myself with the exam format and spotting recurring patterns. Reviewing model answers helped me understand how to structure high-scoring responses effectively.

For science exams, I used mnemonics to remember key details like color changes. During the exams, I’d quickly jot down the mnemonic on the side of the paper and refer to it while answering the questions—this technique really helped me secure marks.

At home, I created revision notes and brought them to school. On exam days, I would lay them out while we waited, and other students often came over to read them. I enjoyed making the notes visually appealing, which made them easier for everyone to use.

I also used AI tools to support my studies, especially for English. I asked it to mark my work and help build me essay plans. For example, I’d request three themes to write about, then prepare sheets with relevant quotes and ideas. This allowed me to focus on writing during the exam rather than brainstorming on the spot. It saved time and boosted my confidence—I ended up writing ten pages for my second paper because I had everything memorised and ready.

Additionally, I used AI to generate practice activities and summarise materials. Uploading mark schemes made the feedback more specific and actionable. It felt like having an extra tool in my revision toolkit.

In what ways has Nexus supported you in your learning journey and helped you to achieve success?

My teachers supported me by giving us a lot of resources, extra worksheets to practise with and making time for me to come into school and chat with them if I had any questions. 

Ms Kate was especially very active in helping me with English Literature. I was writing essays almost every day and bringing them to her for feedback. She would go through them with me, point out specific areas to improve, and then I would rework the essay and bring it back again the next day. That cycle of feedback really helped me grow. 

For my coursework, Ms. Karianne also played a big role by helping me structure my writing more effectively and supported me in reducing my word count when it was too high. Overall, the combination of resources and one-on-one guidance made a big difference for me.

What have been some of your favourite lessons or learning experiences at Nexus, and why did they stand out to you?

In Year 11 I developed a strong interest in Chemistry because my teacher, Mr Alex, made the lessons so engaging. His teaching turned it into my favourite science subject. He really motivated me to do well in science, always supporting me with any questions I had. Once I got the hang of Chemistry, I was driven to achieve a  9,9 in Science, which wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for him. 

Beyond academics, what other skills do you feel you have developed through your IGCSE subjects?

Definitely time management. I know that sleep is essential so I make it a priority to go to bed by 9:30. That means I have to plan my evenings carefully: fit in dinner, get my homework done, and still balance my volleyball training, which I usually have four times a week. At the beginning of the year, I also have to add in all the rehearsals for the school musical which also take up a lot of time. Prioritising sleep keeps me healthy and supports my athletic performance while also helping me do well in academics.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Nexus community? (This could be an extracurricular activity, a performance, an event or something else you value.)

Over the years, I have made a lot of connections with teachers. I still keep in touch with those who taught me in earlier years, and I really enjoy talking to them. At Nexus, the teachers make the effort to know us personally. They understand how we learn and tailor their support to help us. 

The musicals also stand out for me. I have been in them since the very beginning, starting with Mary Poppins when I was in Year 8, and they just get better each year. People love coming to the shows, the teachers put in so much effort, and it really feels like a big community. Through the productions, I have built connections with people across different year groups, and that has been really special.

Sports have been another highlight, especially volleyball. We train about four times a week, so I see my teammates almost every day. We come from different year groups, but we come together as friends. Most of my teammates on the Volleyball team also play Netball in our off-season, so it’s really nice that we all come together in the second half of the year to play a different sport.

Whether it is through sports, musicals, or just the everyday connections with teachers, I feel like Nexus really brings everyone together.

Do you have any advice for anyone going through the IGCSEs now?

Don’t leave studying to the last minute—consistency is key. I prepared actively for every test over the two years, which helped me achieve top marks in the end of term assessments. Since many assessments included past topics I had to go back and revise them for the exams which was very helpful , Regular revision meant I didn’t have to relearn everything from scratch when the time came to study for my final exams—just review and fill in gaps.

It’s also important not to over-study. Burnout is real, so I made sure to balance my studies with time to enjoy life and recharge.

Are there any teachers you would like to highlight for their support or encouragement during your studies?

Absolutely—Mr. Alex was my tutor last year and was incredibly supportive. I remember coming to class after a tough week and even falling asleep once or twice during tutor time. Instead of being upset, he showed genuine care for my wellbeing. He’s the kind of teacher who goes above and beyond, and I always felt comfortable seeking advice from him—even outside of class.

I also really appreciate Ms. Karianne, who’s my tutor now. I spoke with her last year about GP coursework and always felt heard and supported. The teachers here really listen without judgment.

And Ms. Kate—she’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Her English lessons were excellent, and my grades improved steadily under her guidance. Without her help I would have never gotten a 9 in English literature. During study leave, I kept coming to her for feedback, and she always made time for me. That effort meant a lot.

Congratulations once again to Ashley-Rose on her fantastic results and for sharing her story with us. Her journey reflects the Taylor’s Schools philosophy of nurturing learners who are Relevant, Responsible and Resilient, ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

At Nexus, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of all our learners. Their hard work, determination, and passion for learning continue to inspire us every day. You can find out more about our learners’ academic successes on our Academic Excellence page.