Record number of Cambridge offers at leading state sixth form in Islington
Published: Wed 11 February 2026
Founded just four years ago, Islington Collegiate Sixth Form (ICS) has quickly gained a reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a sixth form of choice for high-achieving students. Ranked in the top 1% nationally for A level progress, we meet the latest cohort who have secured a record number of offers from Cambridge colleges to find out more about life at ICS and applying to university.
Following in the footsteps of its renowned sister sixth form, NCS in east London, ICS at Highgate Hill in Archway was established to provide more top-achieving state school students with a rigorous, academic pathway, widening access to the most prestigious universities and professions like law and medicine.
Nashita, an aspiring Magistrate with an offer to study Law at Corpus Christi, Cambridge, said:
“We all want to see one another succeed. I actually got lots of help and advice from a former ICS student, now a second year Law undergraduate. She helped me prepare for my Cambridge interview. The support from staff and my peers helped me build the skills and confidence I needed to secure my offer.”
Elizabeth, who joined from Highbury Grove, wouldn’t have applied without the encouragement of her teachers and peers:
“I didn’t think Cambridge was for me, but my teachers encouraged me – they were pushy, but in a good way! I did lots of practice interviews to build my confidence. If anything, the mock interview was harder than the real thing! I’m excited to hopefully study Political Sciences at Corpus Christi, but I don’t have much trust in politics right now, so I’m not yet sure where it might take me.”
Harun, an internal applicant from Highgate Hill, credits his teachers:
“In Year 11 and now at sixth form, my Physics lessons have been so interesting. My teacher, Mr Wright, goes above and beyond the curriculum to inspire us. Now I have an offer to continue studying Physical Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Maybe I’ll just keep on studying Physics for research or as an academic.”
Reflecting on the Cambridge University offers, Head of Sixth Form, Francesca Deane said:
“We’re immensely proud of all our students’ achievements. They are all here on merit, all share a likeminded ambition and work hard to achieve their goals. Securing a record number of Cambridge offers is an important milestone for the vision of ICS. State school students are still hugely underrepresented at many top universities. Hopefully the word is spreading and more students who aspire to follow in the footsteps of our Oxbridge offer-holders will apply to join ICS this September.”
ICS, part of City of London Academy Highgate Hill, was graded Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024 and has consistently ranked in the top 1% nationally for academic progress since its inception. Beyond the classroom, the post-18 pathways and elite university preparation programmes empower students by building their skills, experience and resilience needed to succeed at the highest level.
It’s not too late to apply to join Islington Collegiate Sixth Form. Visit ics.cola.org.uk to learn more and submit your application to join in September.