Downshire pupils score top marks

With 100 per cent of the results encompassing three A-Levels at grades A* to E, the school outperformed its normal standard of two A-Levels at A* to E.

“We’re incredibly pleased with how the students have performed; most have secured their places at their chosen university and 74 per cent have achieved at least two grades at A* to C,” said Downshire Principal Jacqui Stewart.

“As the A* has only come in very recently it’s excellent to see so many pupils achieving that grade. Lots of the students have also done very well in Sports Studies, which is a very popular subject, as well as Travel and Tourism.

“AS and A-Level exams are such a big jump from GCSE so the pupils have done well to adjust to that and I’m really thrilled for them, and I’m delighted to see an increasing number of boys achieving top grades as well.”

High achievers at the school included head prefect Gemma Phillips, who applied for places at local universities Queen’s and Jordanstown.

“I got two As and a B so I’m going to do Law at Queen’s and I’m really looking forward to starting it,” she said.

A number of options were open for fellow head prefect Ruth Connolly, who achieved a B and two C grades.

“I’m trying to decide between history with education at University of Ulster in Coleraine, or Childcare at the Tech,” she explained.

AS-Level pupil Alice Wilkin was looking forward to taking up the position of Head Girl as she continues her studies at the school next year.

“I got an A, B and C so if everything goes well at A-Level next year I’d love to do Product Development or Food Development, hopefully at Loughry College in Cookstown or University of Ulster,” she told the Times.

Looking forward to continuing their sports studies at university were Scott Carse and Jack McMurtry, both rugby players for the school, while fellow student Dale McKee hopes to take up Geography at Jordanstown after achieving two As and a B.

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