Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards 2025: Nexus Achieves Singapore’s Top Further Pure Mathematics Result for the Third Consecutive Year

Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards 2025

Nexus learners continue to shine on the international stage. At this year’s Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards Ceremony, our community celebrated a group of learners whose hard work and curiosity have led them to exceptional IGCSE results. It was also a proud moment to see two of our learners invited to MC the ceremony, a wonderful recognition of their confidence and leadership. The event highlighted both their dedication and the strength of teaching and learning at Nexus.

Five of our learners received Pearson Excellence Awards for achieving outstanding results across multiple subjects. These awards highlight learners who not only excel academically, but who consistently demonstrate commitment, balance and resilience throughout their IGCSE journey.

This year, we are proud to share that five Nexus learners received Pearson Excellence Awards for achieving outstanding results across multiple subjects.

5 subjects and above with grade 8 and above:

• Anton
• Ashlesha
• Lucca
• Tiana 

6 subjects and above with grade 8 and above:

• Shirish 

Along with these achievements, we are also celebrating a remarkable national award earned by our Year 12 learner, Julian, who achieved the Highest Mark in Singapore in IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics. This marks the third consecutive year that a Nexus learner has earned this award.

Julian Achieves the Highest Mark in Singapore in IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics

When Julian chose to take IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics, he knew it would be demanding. It is known as the most advanced IGCSE mathematics course available and counts as two separate qualifications, challenging even the strongest mathematicians. It was a subject he chose because he had always enjoyed mathematics.

This year’s exam was one of the toughest on record, with fewer top grades awarded than ever before. Despite this challenge, Julian rose to the top and achieved the highest mark in Singapore.

For Julian, the moment felt both surreal and deeply rewarding.

“It felt amazing to see all the work I put in validated. I was doing a level of mathematics that some people do in university, but I was still able to do quite well, so I am really proud of that.”

His achievement reflects years of steady progress, plenty of curiosity and the guidance of teachers who recognised his potential early on.

Julian’s Journey of Growth and Support

Julian joined Nexus in Year 9 and began in a middle-tier mathematics class where his teachers quickly noticed his potential. With strong subject knowledge, encouragement and careful guidance, Julian was moved into a more advanced pathway where he has continued to excel over the years.

His journey reflects how our personalised approach places learners where they can do their best, with support that helps them keep moving forward.

Reflecting on his learning experience, Julian said:

“My teachers are very supportive and have given me a lot of opportunities to grow my maths skills, both with exam content and with interesting mathematics in general.”

He also credits the department’s commitment to support and challenge him:

“I remember staying back after school at a Mathematics support session in Year 10 and Year 11 just to lock everything down. My teachers encouraged me and expected a lot of me because I have been interested in maths for a while, and that level of support pushed me to do better.”

Beyond the IGCSE syllabus, the Mathematics Department also offered Julian opportunities to take part in global competitions such as the Waterloo Maths Contest and others run by the prestigious United Kingdom Mathematics Trust and American Scholastic Mathematics Association. These experiences helped him deepen his understanding, gain confidence and earn additional certificates that are recognised internationally.

“My teachers continued to guide me in the areas I needed to improve. I learned to put in the work I needed to fully prepare for my exams.”

A Department Dedicated to Excellence

Nexus has now achieved the highest mark in Singapore for Further Pure Mathematics for three consecutive years, and what makes this achievement especially meaningful is that each learner was taught by a different teacher. Past top scorers include Minh, who later achieved a perfect 45/45 in his IBDP at Nexus, and Khoi, who is currently taking Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level in his IB Diploma at Nexus. 

Stephen Donohue, our Deputy Learning Area Leader (Secondary Mathematics) and Julian’s IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics teacher, shared:

“When you ask parents what the most important subjects are, Maths is always one of them. Our department goes above and beyond to live up to that. The fact that three different teachers have supported learners who achieved the best mark in Singapore shows the quality and consistency across the team.”

This standard of excellence also continues throughout the IBDP. Minh’s perfect IBDP score included full marks in Higher Level Mathematics and an A in his Extended Essay on Mathematics, once again supported by a different member of the Mathematics team.

Across both the IGCSE and IBDP programmes, Nexus learners continue to achieve top results across all three mathematics pathways, with learners consistently achieving 7s at Higher Level.

Stephen also reflected on the wider context, saying: “Singapore has a huge reputation for high-quality mathematics, so achieving the best mark in Singapore is a massive accomplishment. It shows real commitment from our learners and reflects the strong teaching across the department.”

Reflecting on the overall experience, Julian shared a heartfelt message of gratitude to the department:

“Thank you to all my different teachers over the years for being so supportive. I have really come to love and enjoy maths more since coming to Nexus, and a large part of that is because of the Mathematics Department here.”

Celebrating Excellence Across the School

The Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards and Pearson Excellence Awards highlight the hard work, talent and perseverance of our learners. They also reflect the passion, expertise and dedication of our teachers, who provide the guidance, stretch and encouragement that make these achievements possible.

Congratulations to Julian, all Pearson Excellence Award recipients and to our Mathematics Department for continuing to uphold an exceptional standard of teaching and learning.