In pictures: Pupils celebrate ‘excellent results’ at Ulidia Integrated College

A spokesperson for the Victoria Rise school said: “Ulidia Integrated College has recorded excellent GCSE results with 68 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades including English and Maths.

“This is in line with the college’s three-year average for results, disproving CCEA’s claims that teachers are prone to over predict grades.

“Principal Michael Houston reported an overall pass rate of 77 per cent attaining five or more at A*-C. English, Maths and Science results in particular were as high performing as in previous years, with 80.2 per cent of pupils attaining A*-C in English. 73.5 per cent of pupils attained A*-C in Maths, and 95.1 per cent of pupils attained A*-C in Double Award Science.

“This was again directly in line with performance averages over the past three years.

Mr Houston said: “We are so proud of all of our pupils – this has been an horrific year for pupils all round, having to cope with lockdown and then worry about how their grades might be awarded.

“It is such a relief to be able to celebrate with them and discover where their pathways may lead. I expect record numbers returning to sixth form to study, and there will be particular interest in the new A Level Biology, and double A-level courses in Health and Social Care and Business Studies.

“We of course also welcome applications from external students for A level study.

“We are delighted that GCSE results will be awarded without the use of various examination boards’ standardisation algorithms, as teachers know the individual pupils far better than a computer programme can ever do.

“After the distress that our A level students were put through, we were looking forward to a settled results day and the opportunity to celebrate with our pupils.

“I am thrilled for our parents and pupils alike, and very grateful for the hard work and dedication all of our staff have shown. Our teaching staff have been exceptional throughout lockdown in their dedication and professionalism, and no small amount of sleepless nights and worry went into producing the Centre Assessed Grades.

“I know we can stand over these grades with integrity. I cannot wait to have the school open on September 1 with all of our pupils in lessons and working hard.

“It will not be a normal start to the term, but having the Ulidia Integrated College community together again will be a joy.”

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