Brighton College Dubai Tops Global Pearson Edexcel Rankings

Dubai, UAE – 20 January 2026: Brighton College Dubai proudly celebrates another year of exceptional academic achievement as two of its pupils have been recognised among the world’s highest achievers in the 2024/25 Pearson Edexcel examination series.

The Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards (OPLAs) are presented to students who achieve the highest marks globally, regionally, or nationally across all Pearson Edexcel qualifications. This year, Brighton College Dubai has secured three distinctions – two at the world level and one at the regional level – reinforcing its position as a centre of academic excellence.

Year 12 pupil Ibrahim Hassan Chatha earned the Highest Mark in the World for GCSE Spanish and the Highest Mark in the Middle East for GCSE Physical Education, demonstrating remarkable versatility and dedication across multiple disciplines. Year 12 pupil Rudayna Islam Yassin achieved the Highest Mark in the World for GCSE Business, reflecting her exceptional analytical skills and passion for global enterprise.

Simon Crane, Head Master of Brighton College Dubai, remarked:
"These extraordinary results are a testament to the ambition, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity of our pupils. Ibrahim and Rudayna exemplify the dedication and excellence that our school strives to nurture, and their achievements highlight the quality of teaching and supportive community at Brighton College Dubai."

Pearson Edexcel recognised just over 2,100 learners from 740 schools across 85 countries in 2025 with OPLA awards, placing Ibrahim and Rudayna among the very top tier of global achievers. Eligibility for the award requires achieving Grade 9 in International or UK GCSE examinations, the highest level of academic excellence attainable.

Rudayna’s achievement adds to her remarkable record: last year, she received three distinctions, including the Highest Mark in the World for International GCSE Mathematics A, the Highest Mark in the Middle East for GCSE French, and the Highest Mark in the UAE for International GCSE Computer Science, making her one of the region’s youngest multi-award recipients.

In addition, a wider cohort of Brighton College Dubai pupils performed exceptionally well in the 2024/25 Pearson Edexcel series, with ten pupils securing Grade 8 or above in at least five subjects, demonstrating consistent academic excellence across the curriculum.

The College’s continued success in the Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards underscores its commitment to academic depth, nurturing individual potential, and encouraging the pursuit of excellence in every subject area. Following the confirmation of their results at the end of 2025, award recipients received their certificates from Pearson Edexcel, and the College hosted a special ceremony in January to honour their achievements.