Students celebrate record A level results

Principal of Larne Grammar, John Wilson, praised the dedication and hard work of his pupils after they emerged with the best set of A level results in the school’s history - achieving a total of 35 A*s.

He said: “This school is used to having a high achieving, highly motivated group of young adults but this year has been quite exceptional.

“Seven years ago, 54 per cent of the pupils starting Larne Grammar achieved an A in the 11-plus. If value added measures were recognised, then these results would be considered astounding – almost off the scale.”

The best results in the school came from Jamie Magee (three A*s, one A) and Stuart McIlwaine (three A*s), but 20 other pupils achieved at least three As.

Michael Forde and Lindsey McConnell achieved one A* and three As. Christine Brennan, Aaron Copeland, Megan McAuley and Rebecca McGookin achieved two A*s and one A. Jenna Bowen, Emma Duff, Stephanie Fung, Fiona Howie, Catherine Hunter, Jamie Kelso, Christina Mulholland, Rebekah Patton, Amanda Purdon, Tom Saunderson and Philip Semple all achieved one A* and two As while Sara Cahoon, Louise McNinch and David Wright achieved three As. A further 15 pupils achieved at least two As and one B.

Mr Wilson added: “The figure of 88 per cent for A* to C grades also exceeds last year’s record figure of 86 per cent. The vast majority of pupils have gained entrance to the university course of their choice and we wish them well. The pressures on students increase each year and this year have been well documented, with a reduction in the number of places and the increasing demand.

“However, our pupils now have both the academic results and the key skills to enable them to move into the adult arena with confidence and self assurance”.

The newly-amalgamated college, St Killian’s Garron Tower, has also enjoyed an excellent set of A Level results from its first cohort of students across its two campuses.

Seventy five per cent of students at the college achieved three A*-C grades, with 12 per cent achieving straight As. A spokesman for the college said: “Our students achieved excellent grades and have been accepted and placed in a variety of courses of their choice at university. This is especially gratifying given the current reduction in university places.

“These achievements are a result of the hard work of students and staff, as well as the support and partnership that the school will continue to develop with our parents. Congratulations goes to all our A level students who achieved excellent results and the school community would like to wish them all success and happiness in their future lives.”

There were also high levels of attainment for St Killian’s pupils at Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level. While a significant number of students attained straight A grades, special mention must be made of Chris Hamill, who achieved four grade As in his AS examinations, while also completing his A level History of Art a year early with an A* grade.