Lisburn students celebrate outstanding GCSE results

Lisburn principals were delighted with the performance of their pupils and praised them for their hard work throughout the year.

Elizabeth Dickson, Principal of Friends’ School, said that she was very pleased by the high standards achieved at GCSE level right across the year group. For the second year in succession, 99% of pupils at Friends’ had gained at least eight GCSE passes at Grade A* to C and top grades again predominated. Four pupils, Joshua Alexander, Jack Henderson, Kerry Patterson and Ella Simpson, each had the distinction of gaining A* passes in all of their ten GCSE subjects and Caitlin Hamilton, Hannah Gardiner, Chloe Hassard and Emily Joyce had each secured nine passes at A* plus at least one further A grade. Mrs Dickson said that every pupil in the year deserved credit for the success that hard work and determination had brought at GCSE.

Dr Seamus Quinn, principal at St. Patrick’s Academy, Lisburn said it was another year of outstanding GCSE results with an excess of 80% 5th year pupils achieving five or more grade Cs (over 60% including English and Maths). Dr Quinn, commented: “I am so very proud of each and every student in our school. All their hard work and commitment has been rewarded. Our community of learners continues to offer to discerning parents an academic focused, high quality educational experience tailored to each and every individual child. With another year of remarkable academic results, building upon last weeks outstanding A levels, it is obvious why the recently published Area Plans depend upon St Patrick’s as a catalyst to improve educational outcomes in the Lisburn, Glenavy and Crumlin area. As our school community develops and expands all the Governors and staff are committed to providing the very best educational experience to all the children in our catchment area.”

Mrs Getty, principal of Fort Hill College, reflected on another set of results which saw pupils gaining at both GCSE and A Level. She commented: “All pupils sitting the GCSE exams gained 100% passes at A*-G, including some outstanding results from a number of pupils who achieved eight GCSEs at A*-B grades. In the top class 93% of the pupils successfully gained their target of 5+ passes at GCSE grades A*-C. Many of these students are hoping to return to Fort Hill’s 6th Form to continue their studies at A Level where they hope to follow in the footsteps of our top four students this year who gained three grade As at A Level and are now on their way to University.”

Mrs Getty praised the hard work from the staff and pupils which had helped them to achieve these results along with the support from their parents which as always is a “vital component”.

Jim Sheerin, principal of Lisnagarvey High School, said this year the school has recorded its highest level of performance in achieving GCSE qualifications. He said: “65 % of our year 12 pupils have achieved between five and 12 GCSE or equivalent qualifications.”

He added: “I would like to unreservedly praise the dedication and commitment of staff who have worked so hard to ensure this success. Parents, teachers and pupils have worked together towards achieving this shared target and the support of pupils through after school and evening classes has made a real difference to pupil awards. These are the best results which the school has recorded in the last six years. We congratulate all of our pupils who worked so hard and richly deserve these wonderful results.”

Mrs O’Hare, Principal of Wallace High School said that students this year had achieved the best ever results at GCSE. Mrs O’Hare commented: “Over 60 students this year achieved 8 or more straight A grades with 20 of those students awarded 7 or more A*. Students across the year group of 170 all worked with great determination and dedication and have been richly rewarded. 99% of all grades achieved were at A* to C this year and almost 90% were A*, A and B.”

“The students have been ably supported by a well qualified and expert teaching and support staff. Technical, Premises, Administrative, Accounting and Teaching Staff are all to be congratulated on creating the conditions in which such excellent results can be achieved,” she said.

“On behalf of the staff of Wallace I extend my thanks to supportive parents and the contributory Primary Schools who have played a pivotal role in this success,” the principal concluded.

Principal of Laurelhill Community College, James Martin, said the hard work of pupils and staff have paid off this year. “Our GCSE results have increased dramatically. Congratulations to pupils, parents and staff on their efforts,” he said.

“100% of pupils gained a GCSE in English and 98% a GCSE in Maths but what is more encouraging is that over 50% gained a Grade C or better in Maths GCSE, and over 60% gained a Grade C or better in English,” he added.

Mr Andrew Gibson, principal, of Hunterhouse College praised his pupils. He said: “Once again are very pleased with this year’s GCSE grades and I would like to congratulate all our pupils on their achievements. Our results are the highest since 2006, with 98% of pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C and 94% of pupils achieving seven or more GCSEs at grades A* to C. The overall percentage of A* to C grades is 98%, with 70% grades A* to B. Praise must go to all of our pupils for the hard work they put into attaining these grades and also to the staff of the school and to the parents of our pupils who will all have supported the girls in preparing them so well for the examinations.”