Record-breaking year at the College

Mr Trevor Robinson, Headmaster of Lurgan College, was absolutely thrilled with the record-breaking 2010 A2 Level results which are quite simply the best ever recorded in the school’s illustrious history.

Mr Robinson said: "These outstanding results are, once again, unequivocal and tangible evidence of the success of the tried and tested Dickson Plan which, for over forty years, has furnished pupils with necessary skills to help them fulfil their true potential."

For an incredible ninth year in a row the102 Year 14 pupils of Lurgan College recorded an over 99% pass rate in all subjects offered at A Level, which compares very favourably with the UK national pass rate of 97.6%.

Grades A* were offered to high-flying pupils for the first time this year and the College pupils rose to the challenge by securing 28 (10% of all grades) in total!

The 93.4% of A*-C grades (a new school record) is also well in excess of the UK national average of 75.1%.

Grades A* and A were by far the most common grades, accounting for over 42% of the total grades recorded while the UK national average sits at just 27%. 21% of the applicants achieved at least three A grades, while 40% managed to acquire at least two A grades. 84% of the pupils secured three 'A' Levels at A*-C which is another new school record.

The average UCAS points achieved by the pupils (which incorporates AS Levels and other certified qualifications) were 363 which equates roughly to three As per pupil across the year group!

These record-breaking A Level results have once again seen the College placed among the very top schools throughout the UK according to surveys carried by out a number of national newspapers.

“While all of these statistics are undoubtedly most gratifying for us as a school, the most pleasing aspect of these excellent results by far for mem,” said Mr Robinson “is, of course, that, once again, the vast majority of our pupils are now looking forward to taking up their places across in their chosen universities throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.”

Worthy of particular mention is Rebecca Martin (King’s Park PS) who achieved an outstanding four straight As (including one A*) in her 'A' Levels – a tremendous achievement by any standard.

23 pupils in total recorded at least three straight grade As in their subjects and a further 16 pupils obtained at least two grade As.

The students with three straight grade As were: Rachel Adamson (Waringstown PS), Matthew Allen (Carrick PS), Daniel Andrews (Waringstown PS), Robyn Calvert (Carrick PS), Jonathan Canning (Carrick PS), Sarah Cardwell (Waringstown PS), Danielle Carson (King’s Park PS), Ross Clarke (King’s Park PS), Jaime Collins (Waringstown PS), Steven Craig (King’s Park PS), Naomi Davidson (King’s Park PS), Adam Douglas (Waringstown PS), Matthew Duff (Waringstown PS), Hannah Gardiner (Waringstown PS), Jessica Hughes (Moira PS), Alex Johnston (King’s Park PS), Amy Johnston (King’s Park PS), Lauren Kelly (Carrick PS), Alice Kingham (Moira PS), Keelam Matthews (Waringstown PS), Lauren McClurg (Ballinderry PS), Sarah Stewart (King’s Park PS) and Emma Taggart (King’s Park PS).

Those pupils with at least two grade As were Lynsey Boyce (King’s Park PS), Rebecca Clegg (Waringstown PS), Hannah Cromie (Waringstown PS), Roslyn Gardiner (King’s Park PS), Michelle Hanlon (Waringstown PS), Louise Harrison (King’s Park PS), Elaine Hollywood (King’s Park PS), Ashleigh Johnston (Carrick PS), Christopher Larmour (Carrick PS), Ross McAdam (Ballinderry PS), Rachel McCauley (King’s Park PS), Vanessa McMinn (Moira PS), Leanne Robinson (Maghaberry PS), Aimee Snoek (King’s Park PS), Craig Stewart (King’s Park PS) and Paul Wright (King’s Park PS).

Mr Robinson added: "As headmaster of Lurgan College, I am extremely proud of how all my pupils have performed in their 'A' Level examinations. Lurgan College is, of course, greatly indebted to the pupils’ primary schools for their early education and, to the dedicated teaching staff of Lurgan Junior High School who expertly developed the pupils’ skills in Years 8-10.

"I also congratulate my own teachers who continually demonstrate the highest levels of commitment and professionalism, providing the very highest quality of educational experience for the pupils. I also acknowledge the vital role played by our pupils’ very supportive parents who consistently work closely with the school and who, I am sure, are very proud of their young people’s most amazing examination success.

"We wish all our Year 14 pupils all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their careers and we look forward to seeing them making an invaluable contribution to our society in the coming years."

The results achieved by the Year 13 pupils of Lurgan College at Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level were also commendable. The overall pass rate was 97%, one of the highest ever recorded at the College. This is all the more creditable considering almost every pupil studied four subjects to AS Level.

Nine pupils managed to achieve at least four grade As and 23 obtained at least three grade As in their AS Level examinations. Another 10 pupils secured at least two grade As.

With over 73% of the 384 entries graded at A-C and with grade A accounting for almost one third of all grades recorded, this has been another vintage year for Lurgan College at AS Level.

Most subjects recorded over 80% A-C grades while a number, including Art & Design and Music, recorded 100% A grades.

These most pleasing results constitute the first half of the pupils’ Advanced Level study and they will undoubtedly stand them in good stead as the pupils as they prepare for study at A2 Level next year.

The College’s top performer at AS Level this year was Andrew McNabb (Moyallon PS) who achieved an amazing five straight As.

The students with four straight As in their subjects were Stephen Foster (Portadown Independent Christian School), Kristian Glenn (King’s Park PS), Laura Gordon (Bleary PS), Graeme Laverty (Waringstown PS), Naomi Robinson (King’s Park PS), Kim Scott (Carrick PS), Emma Watson (Carrick PS) and Orly Watson (Moyallon PS).

The students with three grade As were Natalie Barr (Waringstown PS), Jonathan Buckley (Richmount PS), Claire Dickson (King’s Park PS), Catherine Dynes (Bleary PS), Zara Jackson (King’s Park PS), Danielle Johnston (Carrick PS), Mark McConville (King’s Park PS), Nicholas Moore (King’s Park PS), Matthew Porter (Maralin PS), Kathryn Stevenson (King’s Park PS), Joshua Thornbury (Waringstown PS), Grace Timmons (Ballinderry PS), Hannah Webb (King’s Park PS) and Shannon Webster (King’s Park PS).

The following pupils achieved two grade As: Lindsay Baird (Ballydown PS), Jordan Boomer (Maralin PS), Victoria Flanagan (Carrick PS), Matthew Holmes (Waringstown PS), Matthew Mathers (King’s Park PS), Christopher McBurney (Maralin PS), Rachel McKinley (King’s Park PS), Chloe Patterson (King’s Park PS), Michaela Quinn (Ballymacrickett PS), Laura Russell (Bleary PS) and Jessica Thompson (World Christian Academy).

Mr Robinson said: "I congratulate all of the pupils, their parents and their teachers on these excellent AS performances which augur extremely well for next year. "

For more results

pictures see page 26