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By Haddy Ndure, Communications Manager, Cambridge
A
s 2025 draws to a close, we look back on a year filled with
growth, collaboration and meaningful change across our global
Cambridge community. From record numbers of learners sitting
Cambridge exams to future-focused initiatives in climate change
education, AI and digital exams, this year has been shaped by
momentum and shared purpose.
In this month-by-month roundup, we highlight some of the moments
that defined 2025: the programmes, people and partnerships helping
learners build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need for a
changing world. Together, these stories reflect Cambridge's
commitment to high-quality international education and our role in
helping students prepare not only for the future they will face, but for
the one they want to create.
Join us as we revisit a year of growth and innovation.
Cambridge exam results released
January marked an exciting start to 2025 as more than
200,000 students worldwide received their Cambridge
IGCSE, O Level and International AS & A Level results from
the November 2024 series. With entries up 7% on last year
and 475,075 exam entries in total across 137 countries,
international education is growing stronger than ever.
It was also our biggest November series yet for
Cambridge IGCSE, with entries rising 10% to over
273,000. Cambridge International AS & A Level results
were released to more than 92,000 students, reflecting a
7% increase in entries.
New Zealand and China led the way in growth, and
demand continued to rise for subjects that build real-
world skills, including Computer Science, Business
Studies and Accounting.
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International
Education, congratulated learners and thanked teachers
worldwide for helping students take their next steps with
confidence.
A message of congratulations from Rod Smith
Cambridge Wellbeing curriculum wins
Global Inclusion Award
February brought fantastic news as our
Cambridge
Wellbeing curriculum
received the
IFIP Global Inclusion
Award
at BETT in London. The award recognises the
programme’s innovative approach to supporting learners’
social and emotional development.
Offered to all Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary
schools, the curriculum helps students understand
themselves, build positive relationships and participate
safely and confidently in the world. Its flexible design
allows schools to teach it in the language that best fits
their context, making it a powerful example of a truly
inclusive education.
IFIP praised Cambridge for its “outstanding contributions
to promoting inclusion,” and Dr Lilian Dogiama, our Head
of EDIB, celebrated the win as an important milestone in
embedding equity and inclusion across our products and
services.
Find out more about our work in this area by visiting our
inclusive education webpage
.
Artificial intelligence in the classroom
In March, we supported teachers around the world as they
began exploring the growing role of artificial intelligence
in education. With AI rapidly transforming how students
learn and engage, we created a new
Getting Started with
AI in the Classroom
resource to help teachers build
confidence and understand the opportunities and
challenges AI brings to the classroom.
The guide aligns with UNESCO’s 2024 AI Competency
Framework for Teachers, which sets out the knowledge,
skills and values educators need to use AI safely, ethically
and effectively. It breaks these ideas into practical steps
for using AI in the classroom.
Complementing the resource, our podcast
Teachers’
Changing Perceptions of AI
offers real-world reflections
on using AI in teaching and learning. Together, the guide
and podcast can help teachers adopt AI tools in
meaningful and responsible ways. As we continue to
develop our support and research on AI, we will share it on
our new
AI and teaching
web pages.
'I used to be a little reluctant about AI, but
we cannot fight against it because you
don't stop evolution. As educators, we
have to learn how to deal with AI and how
we can use it wisely when teaching
learners.’
Bianca, Primary and Lower Secondary educator, Brazil
Christine Ozden, Global Director Climate Education, Richard Gilby,
International Climate Change Education Ambassador, Uzma Yousuf,
International Climate Change Education Ambassador
Announcing our Climate Change
Education Ambassadors
To mark World Earth Day, we were proud to introduce our
two new
International Climate Change Education
Ambassadors
: Richard Gilby, Regional Director for Latin
America and the Caribbean, and Uzma Yousuf, Regional
Director in Pakistan.
Richard is passionate about giving young learners a voice
and helping schools embed climate change across the
curriculum, a message that strongly reflects Earth Day
2025’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet.
In Pakistan, one of the countries most affected by climate
change, Uzma highlights the urgent reality: “It is a day-to-
day existential crisis. There is no choice but to do
something about it.” She believes education can empower
young people with both the knowledge and agency to
take meaningful action.
Together, Richard and Uzma bring powerful regional
insights and a shared commitment to supporting schools
worldwide in making climate change education a natural
and essential part of learning.
Meet our International Climate Change Educ…
Climate change • Climate
change refers to long-…
Watch Uzma’s video to hear how she is supporting schools to take
meaningful climate action.
Portia Dzifa Dzilah
from Ghana wins
Global Dedicated Teacher Award
An English teacher from Pakro Anglican Basic School in
Ghana, was named the global winner of the
2025
Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards
. Chosen from
5158 nominations across 101 countries, Portia secured 33
percent of the public vote, becoming the
first-ever
winner from Ghana
.
The awards celebrate teachers who make an extraordinary
impact on their learners’ lives — something Portia
embodies every day. Teaching in a remote farming
community facing challenges such as high pupil absence
and teenage pregnancy, she leads food and sanitary
product drives, runs a Gender Club, and champions girls’
education, encouraging her students to stay in full-time
learning.
Her dedication, compassion and belief in the power of
education stood out among nine regional winners
worldwide, earning her this well-deserved global
recognition.
'I believe in the potential of every child
and that education can break cycles and
open doors. I have dedicated my life to
nurturing that belief in my students, and
this recognition renews my commitment
even more deeply'
Portia Dzifa Dzilah, Pakro Anglican Basic School, Ghana
The
nominations
for next year open in January 2026.
Surprising the global winner of the 2025 Ca…
Watch the moment Portia was surprised with the Global award from
our Group Managing Director, Rod Smith
Cambridge Schools Conference in the
US
June saw our largest-ever Cambridge Schools Conference,
as more than 500 educators from 30 countries gathered
in Miami, Florida, to explore how schools can prepare
learners for a rapidly changing world. The event brought
together teachers, school leaders and experts to discuss
the theme
Future-ready: Preparing learners to thrive in
the future
.
Across keynote sessions and workshops, delegates
explored how education can build the resilience, skills and
adaptability students need to succeed. Opening the
conference, Mark Cavone, Regional Director for North
America, highlighted the strength of the global
Cambridge community, noting that
“the heart of
education lies with you — professionals who shape the
minds, values and futures of our students.”
It was a powerful celebration of shared expertise,
collaboration and the collective commitment to
supporting learners to be ready for the world.
'This was one of the most engaging
Cambridge Schools Conferences I have
had the privilege to be part of. Each of our
keynote speakers had something new and
thought-provoking to share and,
together, they delivered a powerful and
positive message about the future of
education.'
Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership, Cambridge
Watch the highlights from our Cambridge S…
Watch highlights from our conference
Cambridge reached 1000 schools in
South Asia
July marked a major milestone as Cambridge surpassed
1000 Cambridge International Schools across South
Asia
, reflecting the region’s accelerating shift towards
international education. School numbers grew by 16% in
just one year, from 894 to 1034, with India contributing
more than 81% of new additions. The
Bramhapriya World
School in Pune
became the 1000th Cambridge school,
symbolising the growing momentum across the region.
While over half of Cambridge schools in India are located
in Tier 1 cities, the spread of international education is
widening: 47% of schools are now in Tier 2 and Tier 3
cities, showing strong uptake beyond major metros.
The introduction of a new
third Cambridge Checkpoint
test series
from March 2026 (announced in February) is
also driven by demand from schools in South Asia, and
other regions, for a test series at the end of their school
year.
Students embrace future-focused
subjects as June 2025 results are
released
In August, more than 680,000 students in
5507 schools
across 149 countries
received their Cambridge IGCSE, O
Level and International AS & A Level results from the June
2025 series. Entries continued to grow worldwide, with
nearly 740,000 Cambridge IGCSE entries (up 5%),
227,000 Cambridge O Level entries (up 4%) and over
700,000 Cambridge International AS & A Level entries
(up 11%), reflecting the rising value families place on an
international education that prepares learners for study,
work and life in a connected world.
A growing number of students are choosing future-
focused subjects such as Business, Economics, Computer
Science, Enterprise and Cambridge Global Perspectives,
signalling a shift toward learning that blends academic
strength with practical, real-world skills.
Congratulations to Cambridge students fro…
A message of congratulations from Rod Smith
'It is encouraging to see so many young
people around the world developing the
skills and confidence to shape their
futures.'
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director for International Education,
Cambridge
7,000 voices across 150 countries:
Cambridge report identifies what
learners need to thrive
In September, Cambridge published a major new global
report drawing on insights from
nearly 7,000 teachers
and students
across 150 countries, alongside
contributions from experts in education, psychology,
technology and policy.
Preparing Learners to Thrive in a
Changing World
offers a powerful picture of how young
people experience education today and the skills they
believe matter most for a future shaped by rapid
technological change, climate pressures and shifting
global dynamics. The findings revealed strong and
consistent themes, including:
Teachers and students view self-management as
critical for the future, yet also the hardest skill to teach
(23%) and learn (19%).
Communication skills were also seen as essential, but
teachers reported a major barrier: 61% say students’
fear of judgement makes it difficult to develop these
skills.
Subject knowledge is increasingly viewed as a short-
term “currency”
, prompting an urgent need to reframe
its importance as a lifelong asset, especially in the age
of AI.
Reflecting on the findings, Rod Smith, our Group
Managing Director emphasised that
“never has the role of
schools and teachers been more important.”
He reiterated
that great schools, great teachers and a clear, purposeful
curriculum remain the foundations of great education in
times of profound change. Cambridge is now working to
incorporate what we have learned from the research into
our existing programmes and future developments.
In another initiative designed to prepare learners for the
future, September also saw the launch of
Cambridge
Climate Quest Pakistan edition,
a pioneering climate
literacy programme developed with Cambridge Zero and
Lahore University of Management Sciences. At the launch
event, attended by Peter Phillips, Chief Executive of
Cambridge University Press & Assessment, schools and
ministries pledged to enrol 205,000 students on the free,
self-paced climate course, a major step forward in
expanding climate change education across the country.
Preparing learners to thrive in a changing w…
Watch Rod discuss the findings of our report in this vodcast
Over 25 updated syllabuses published
as Cambridge announces What's New?
In September, we published our biannual edition of
'
What’s New?'
which included more than 25 updated
Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and International AS & A Level
syllabuses (including 11 Cambridge IGCSE Modern Foreign
Languages) for first exam in 2028. One of the most
progressive changes affects
Cambridge IGCSE and O Level
Literature in English
, which will move to fully open text
assessment to improve the testing experience.
We also strengthened our support for early years and
primary teachers with our new
Cambridge Phonics and
Handwriting
scheme and
Cambridge Professional
Development Qualifications
in Early Years Good Practice.
As we continue our journey towards
digital exams
, we
invited schools to register for our January 2026 digital
mocks series. Schools in 60 countries have booked
over
33,000 digital mock exams
across the June 2025 and
January 2026 series to help prepare for live exams.
Student voices take centre stage at
Bangkok Climate Action Week
In October, Cambridge hosted its third Climate Action
Week session, this time in Bangkok, following successful
Climate Action Week sessions in London and Rio. The
session showcased inspiring student-led presentations,
highlighting how climate change education is
empowering young people around the world to speak up,
take action and shape solutions for the future.
To support schools globally, we also launched a new
Student voices webpage
, bringing together all student
videos in one place along with a classroom resource
designed to help teachers start meaningful conversations
about climate change. Because ultimately, talking about
climate change is one of the most powerful things we can
do.
Our aligned approach across curriculum, assessment,
teaching & learning and resources means that climate
change education is being integrated throughout the
Cambridge Pathway, reaching all stages of school
curricula.
Kevin Ebenezer, Cambridge's Director of University Pathways & Progression,
International Education
Strengthening links with universities
Our Director of University Pathways & Progression, Kevin Ebenezer, was
appointed to a
new advisory board at The University of Hong Kong
,
set up to strengthen its connections with exam boards and top schools
globally. The University was recently named Asia’s top university in the
QS Asia University Rankings,
Kevin leads a team of experts at Cambridge who work with universities
globally to open up opportunities for Cambridge students. Our Higher
Education Advisory Councils are central to this work, building close
links with universities in different regions. We held inaugural meetings
with our new Councils in
Japan
and
Poland
in 2025 to support
progression to these increasingly popular destinations.
“A large factor in why parents and students choose
Cambridge is knowing that our qualifications are
recognised by top universities globally, so I’m
delighted to join the Advisory Board the University
of Hong Kong and collaborate with them.”
Dr Iwan Syahril, former Director General in Indonesia,
speaking at the Cambridge Schools Conference in Bali.
Bali hosts Cambridge Schools Conference on
future readiness
More than 340 school leaders and teachers from 200 Cambridge
International Schools across 37 countries gathered for our second face-
to-face global conference of the year in Bali, exploring how to prepare
learners for a rapidly changing future. They heard compelling keynotes
from global education leaders, including Dr Iwan Syahril, former
Director General in Indonesia, and Professor Sara Baker, Professor of
Development Psychology and Education at the University of
Cambridge, and came up with new ideas in breakout sessions.
“What I value most about these conferences is how
they bring our global community of educators
together to learn from one another, reconnect with
our purpose, and reaffirm our shared commitment
to helping students thrive.”
Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership for International Education, Cambridge
Watch on
Highlights from CSC 2025, Bali
Copy link
Watch highlights from the Cambridge Schools Conference in Bali
We also published a new issue of
Cambridge Outlook magazine
,
sharing insights from the conference with our schools worldwide and
delving into the findings of our recent research report.
Outlook 46: Education for a changing world
This issue of Cambridge Outlook magazine delves into topics from our latest
'Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world' research, such as self-
management, human intelligence vs artificial intelligence and wellbeing.
calameo.com
Education doesn't stand still, and neither does Cambridge. We look
forward to continuing our work with our global community of 10,000
schools across 160 countries, as well as with our smaller, focused
communities within this network. Looking ahead to 2026, we are
excited to deliver further innovation through new initiatives that will
help prepare Cambridge students for success in a rapidly changing
world.
Read our
news
and sign up for
syllabus updates
so you can keep in
touch with all our latest developments.
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