Slideshow: Cullybackey College prize-giving

Mr Donaldson hailed the GCSE successes, noting that the percentage of students who achieved more than five grades A* to C including English and Maths, was the highest that it has been in five years.

Some of the top students who achieved superb results included Stacey McIlmoyle, Sam Barkley, Kathryn-Ann and Amy-Louise McCombe and Ethan Sloan.

“Yet again, Sixth Form students celebrated success in their A Level studies. Many of the Year 14 leavers achieved results to be proud of and gained a place in their chosen university or college,” Mr Donaldson said.

He added: “Performances in the College are remaining consistent, with the proportion of students achieving two or more A-Levels at A* to E standing at 97%.

“This year 74% of all entries gained a grade C or above, the highest in the last 3 years.

“Our A-Level students succeeded across a range of subjects. James Gailey, last year’s Head Boy, achieved A grades in Geography and History with a B in Psychology. James has worked consistently hard throughout his seven years at Cullybackey and has gone on to study History at Queen’s University, Belfast. Ryan Kennedy and Calvin Galbraith achieved A*BC and Patrick Herbison achieved ABC.”

Other top students who achieved superb resultsincluded Ruth Barkley, Rebecca Clarke, Hannah Crawford, Mark Johnston, Jayne Boland, Joanne Galloway, Jonathan Gracey, Jonathan Graham and Lynsey McQuillan.

Mr Donaldson added: “At Cullybackey College our priority is, and always will be, seeking to push our young people to realise their full potential, morally, socially, physically, emotionally and, ultimately, academically.

“Results are rising; intake is growing – my goal is that this upward trend continues with the school firmly placed at the centre of the community and our pupils increasingly connected to our local businesses and industries who will, for many, represent their future employers.”