ICS Celebrates Humanities and Social Sciences
Published: Wed 20 August 2025
At ICS, our outcomes place us among the top 1% of UK schools and sixth forms for value added, according to an independent report by ALPS. Our Grade 1 ALPS rating is a testament to the exceptional teaching, personalised support, and academic care that define the ICS experience.
ICS English Literature students have once again achieved phenomenal results, with multiple students scoring 100% across both coursework and exam components.
Alya, who secured an A*, reflected:
“By rereading and reanalysing the texts through a contextual lens, I developed a deeper understanding of the works. Careful study of the assessment objectives, paired with targeted exam practice, helped me meet the highest criteria.”
Meanwhile, Chase will be heading to Cambridge University this October to pursue English — a testament to the academic ambition nurtured at ICS.
The 2025 A-level History cohort achieved an extraordinary 100% A*-A result, following last year’s standout performance by Daniyaal, who earned the highest mark in the UK for the African Kingdoms module.
Christiano, set to study at LSE, shared:
“History not only gave me a rich understanding of the past, but also reshaped how I engage with the present. It taught me to think critically about the world around me.”
In Psychology, 50% of students achieved A* — significantly above the national average of 6%.
Paula, who earned an A*, noted:
“The key to my success was making synoptic links across the course. Lessons at ICS always challenged us to think deeper.”
Saara, who achieved A*AB, will now study Psychology with Education at UCL.
In Economics, 60% of students achieved A-A*. Daniyaal will join Cambridge this year to study Economics, while Sophie is set to study Land Economy, also at Cambridge.
Our alumni continue to demonstrate the far-reaching benefits of a humanities/social sciences education:
Alex (A*AA, now studying Biology at Lancaster):
“Studying English Literature and Psychology A-Level distinguishes me as one of the very few biologists with a humanities background in my university. The essay writing and critical analysis skills I learnt at sixth form set my lab reports, my communication skills and my coursework apart from others with a hard science background. I think people overlook the importance of being able to communicate your ideas and results eloquently and accurately, and the advantage it can give you when standing out as an applicant for opportunities.”
Zaynab (A*AA, now studying Law at LSE):
“Humanities gave me the intellectual tools and empathy needed for law. Psychology especially shaped how I understand people — a crucial skill in legal reasoning.”