Record results at Glengormley High

Principal of Glengormley High School, Mr Lex Hayes is pictured with Daria Rybak who attained 2 As, 1 B and 1 C at AS Level and Ethan Hawthorne who got 4 straight As at AS Level. INNT 35-011-PSB

A record number of pupils in Year 14 achieved A Level success this year, with almost every subject recording a 100 per cent pass rate.

The ICT department again excelled, with 92 per cent of the pupils entered achieving the top A - C grades.

The recent successes on the sports field were also carried into the classroom, with 80 per cent of pupils achieving the top two grades in PE - a total of 15 A grades and 7 B grades.

Overall in the school, a third of all pupils achieved the coveted A and A* grades and 75 per cent of the nearly 200 exam entrants achieved a grade A* - C.

Students studying Art, Science, Moving Image Art, Business, Technology and Maths also achieved record results.

A number of delighted students awoke on Thursday to find exceptional results awaiting them.

Sam McGurk and Stuart Newburn achieved 3 A grades, including 2 A* grades.

Justine Dickey, Chris Chambers, Dale McManus, Amy Blair and Tom Magee also recorded 2 A* and a B grades.

Daria Rybak achieved even better results, with 4 A Level successes in Art, ICT, Maths and CDT.

Principal Lex Hayes paid tribute to the hard work put in by all concerned, saying: “In a climate of intense competition for pupils in all areas the hard work of staff, pupils and parents needs to be acknowledged.

“The work that we put into all areas of the curriculum with pupils who have mostly not achieved success at the 11+ selection shows that every school can indeed be a good school and academic success and high quality teaching is available in Glengormley and other non-selective schools.”

The school has the third biggest Year 14 cohort in the NEELB region, with only Ballyclare High School and Ballymena Academy being larger.

All pupils in Years 13 and 14 studying A Levels were provided with a laptop for their use in school and at home, and this was extended to all diploma students in Year 13.

“Pupils’ access to help and materials has also contributed to our continuing improvement at A Level and post-16 study,” Mr Hayes added.