Celebrating Our 2025 IGCSE Learners: Nicole

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 Nicole, who achieved 6 A*–A or 9-7 grades in the 2025 IGCSEs. 

Nicole joined Nexus in Year 10 and is now in Year 12. Passionate about mathematics and computing, she taught herself Python before joining Hack Club, where she strengthened her coding skills and grew in confidence. With aspirations to pursue engineering, she also explored leadership as the founder of the Bridge Club and contributed as an Innovation Ambassador, reflecting her drive to combine academic excellence with creativity and community involvement.

We caught up with Nicole 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)?

My name is Nicole, I am currently in Year 12, and I have been studying at Nexus for 3 years.

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

I chose Further Pure Maths, Computer Science, Economics, and Double Science. I have always been stronger in the sciences and maths, and I’m particularly passionate about maths and computing. Since I was young, I’ve enjoyed solving logic puzzles and thinking about paradoxes—these challenges sharpened my logical thinking and spatial reasoning, which is how I first realised the charm of mathematics. I also plan to pursue engineering in the future, so these subject choices felt natural and aligned with my goals.

What inspired your subject choices? Was there a particular experience, teacher, or moment that influenced you?

I didn’t spend much time considering my IGCSE subject choices because I had a clear vision of the path I wanted to take. My first experience with coding was during the Year 9 holiday, when I started teaching myself Python. I loved the process of improving my code, debugging, and eventually achieving a program I was satisfied with. This gave me a strong sense of accomplishment. Later, I joined Ms Hemangi’s Hack Club CCA, where I learned more and became much more confident in Python. Ms Hemangi has also been an inspiration to me—as an excellent female teacher in tech, she has always encouraged and motivated me. Her influence was part of my reason for choosing computer science. 

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

Before exams, I reviewed all the content using my textbooks and rewrote my notes to strengthen my memory. However, I believe past papers are the most effective revision method. Doing past papers and studying the mark schemes helped me understand exactly how to answer questions, which terms to use, and how to earn full marks. This is especially important because many exam questions are very similar to those from past papers. For example, in my Computer Science exam, I recognised that almost 80% of the questions were ones I had practised before, which gave me a huge advantage.

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

At Nexus, teachers are always enthusiastic about answering any questions, and every subject offers support sessions during lunchtime of after school where we can revise topics. These sessions made a big difference in helping me consolidate my knowledge and prepare for exams.

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

Besides Computer Science, I really enjoyed Economics with Mr Kevin. His lessons were engaging and unique—he never used slides. Instead, he wrote everything on the whiteboard step by step, carefully explaining each concept. This kept us all actively involved, rather than just copying notes. In Year 11 Terms 3 and 4, he helped us by reviewing the syllabus from start to finish and preparing past paper questions grouped by topic, so we could focus on areas where we felt less confident. This method was very effective for me, and I am especially grateful for his encouragement and belief in me. Thanks to his support, my Economics grade improved from a 7 in the trial exams to a 9 in the final.

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

Through my IGCSE subjects, I developed many skills beyond just academic knowledge. For example, in Global Perspectives, I learned how to write structured reports, analyse multiple perspectives, and support my arguments with evidence. In Economics, I strengthened my critical thinking and the ability to connect theory to real-world situations. Computer Science helped me improve my logical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially through debugging and refining programs. Double Science enhanced my practical and analytical skills, particularly when designing experiments and interpreting data. Altogether, these experiences taught me resilience, precision, and how to approach challenges from different angles—skills that will continue to be valuable in my future studies and beyond.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Nexus community?

What I enjoy most about being part of the Nexus community is the constant access to resources and opportunities. For example, I have been able to participate in the latest maths competitions, which pushed me to grow beyond the classroom.

I also really value the wide range of CCAs and activities available at Nexus. Through Hack Club, I expanded my coding skills and began learning Java. Arduino introduced me to completely new areas of technology and problem-solving. Founding the Bridge Club taught me leadership and responsibility, especially when working with younger learners. As an Innovation Ambassador, I was able to help promote technology initiatives and strengthen my communication and teamwork skills. Finally, being part of the badminton team not only gave me balance but also helped me to develop discipline and time management.

At Nexus, I always feel supported and never alone. Whether it is teachers offering extra help or classmates collaborating in projects and activities, there is always a sense of encouragement and belonging.

Looking back, can you share one of your favourite memories from your IGCSE experience?

One of my favourite memories was competing in a maths competition with my classmates, where we achieved first place. Unlike traditional competitions, this one tested a wide range of abilities—teamwork, problem-solving under time pressure, and creativity. It was also inspiring to meet top maths students from other schools, which gave me a broader perspective. This experience was very special to me, and overall, the IGCSE journey gave me not only valuable academic growth but also many memorable moments that I will always treasure.

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

Yes, I would especially like to highlight Ms Hemangi and Mr Kevin. Ms Hemangi genuinely cares about her students and truly hopes that every one of us can achieve an A*. She often spent her own free time preparing extra practice questions for us, which showed her dedication and commitment. Her encouragement has been a huge source of motivation for me, and she has been an inspiring role model throughout my IGCSE journey.

I am also very grateful to Mr Kevin, whose engaging teaching style made Economics both fun and clear. He was always patient, encouraging, and confident in our abilities, which gave me the push I needed to improve. His support played a big role in helping me raise my grade significantly from the trial to the final exams.

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Congratulations once again to Nicole 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.