Better Than Ever: MVA's 2026 Results IGCSE and A Level Results Outperform National Trends Two Years Running

Minerva Virtual Academy was founded on a philosophy of Happiness-First. Success is measured on an individual basis, rather than imposed as a blanket expectation.

For some students, top grades are the goal. For others, it's consistent attendance and passing their exams, after months or years of struggling to engage with education.

At Minerva, we believe that a child is successful if they measurably improve and reach the goals that reflect their own needs, situation, interests, skills, ambitions, and abilities.

That said, for the second year in a row, MVA students have achieved objectively fantastic results at IGCSE and A Level and have, once again, markedly outperformed national trends.

Year 11 - IGCSEs

At the time of writing, 72.2% of our Year 11 students achieved a passing grade of 4 or above, surpassing both the national outcome (67.0%) and MVA's own results last year (68.4%).

31.7% went further, achieving top grades of 7–9, up from 23.5% in 2025, and almost a full 10 points above the national average of 21.8%.

As with last year's outcomes, these figures become even more remarkable when you look at the core subjects:

English Language saw an incredible pass rate of 95.9%, with more than half (53.9%) scoring top grades. Maths wasn't far behind, with 72.5% passing.

And these figures include many many students who found themselves in challenging circumstances during their studies.

Several students joined MVA mid-way through their GCSE process after their previous school failed to support their needs or left them unable to continue. Many others, including our new MVA Middle East cohort, sat their exams in areas of active conflict that disrupted life on a daily basis.

And many many more, of course, are students who had previously been significantly or entirely absent from education, having found the experience impossible to face.

To see so many of these children defy the odds, and undoubtedly the expectations put upon them by the traditional schooling system, is truly the epitome of what MVA was founded to be.

Any child who wants academic success can achieve it with the right support, even when facing mental health challenges, SEND needs, or even traumatic world events happening outside their windows.

Year 13 - A Levels

MVA6's second cohort of just 54 A Level students also achieved fantastic outcomes, despite a full quarter of them being elite young athletes with thriving sporting careers, something that has historically been seen as incompatible with academic success, and 50% receiving some form of SEND support.

Across MVA6, 15% of students achieved A*–A, and 46% secured A*–C. In specialised pathways, students achieved a fantastic 100% A*–C pass rate in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and a 100% Distinction/Distinction* rate in BTEC Esports.

Matthew Morris, Head of Sixth Form, added:

"Success looks different for everyone, which is why we are proud of each individual young person at MVA. Our flexible learning model was designed to meet students where they are — whether they arrived aiming for top grades or looking for a tailored, supportive environment. These results are a direct testament to each young person's dedication, alongside the tireless guidance of our teachers and mentors. Congratulations to everyone!"

Our MVA6 graduates are now headed off into a brilliant array of future pathways, including studying a range of subjects at some of the top universities in the UK, moving directly into work, or furthering their sporting careers (including racing full-time in F4, sporting scholarships at US colleges, or continuing to compete in golf, tennis and dressage, alongside further study).

All of us at MVA are deeply proud of our students, and hope that they are all very proud of themselves, too.

Even for our students who did not face any particular extra challenges, exams are an extreme source of stress and pressure for anyone. Overcoming that is always worthy of praise, especially when success looks like this.

MVA was founded on the idea that every child has the potential to love school and learning. In 2026, our students are proving that idea completely correct.

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