Top grades for Grammar pupils

THE Principal of Carrickfergus Grammar School has praised the ‘hard work and commitment’ of outgoing upper sixth pupils after the publication of this year’s A-Level results.

In a repetition of last year’s strong results, 15 pupils at the school attained straight A or A* grades in all of their A-Level subjects. Some 31 per cent of the school’s results were the top grades of A or A*, 60 per cent were grade B or higher and over 80 per cent of A-Level results at the school were within the Inspectorate’s upper range of A* - C, with Music, French, Spanish, Further Mathematics, Art and Business Studies achieving particularly outstanding results.

“Official university pass grades at A-Level range from A* - E, and 23 of our 26 subjects achieved 100 per cent success for pupils. Indeed the school’s overall performance sits above the Northern Ireland average of 98 per cent,” said Headmaster Kieran Mulvenna.

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“Allocation of university places invariably takes a little time to finalise, but even at this early stage the majority of our A-Level students are successfully placed or awaiting confirmation. It is delightful to see pupils who came to the school as hopeful young children set off to begin courses in subjects ranging from Accountancy to Zoology in both of the local universities and right throughout the UK.”

Mr Mulvenna also praised the performance of students studying through the Carrickfergus Learning Community.

“Collaboration between the four post-primary schools in Carrickfergus continues to provide an excellent service for A-Level students in the borough by ensuring breadth of choice along with high quality teaching: indeed all CGS pupils who studied through the Carrickfergus Learning Community achieved grades at A* - C,” he added.

“Once again the strength of Carrickfergus Grammar School’s A-Level results will reassure parents that with hard work and commitment our pupils can achieve their goals and move on with confidence to the next stage of their adult lives, be that in employment or Higher Education.”

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Celebrating after results day at the school was Head Boy Gavin Irvine, who completed A-Levels in Spanish, Maths, Biology and Chemistry.

“I got into St Andrew’s to study Chemistry and I’ll be the first in my immediate family to go to university,” he said.

Head Girl Kerry McIlroy achieved two A grades and one A*, earning her a place to study Accountancy at Queen’s University, Belfast.

“I know some people who did the same course a few years ago so at least I’ll know what to expect,” she commented.

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Also heading to Queen’s is Ryan Hendry, whose results earned him a place on his chosen course of Law with Politics.

“I got two As and one B; the hardest exam was probably in Government and Politics which is a newer A-Level,” he said

Meanwhile, straight A student Emma Magill will be travelling across the water to study.

“I got an A* in Biology and As in Chemistry, Maths and Physics, so I’ll be heading to Bristol to do Biochemistry,” she said. “I don’t know anyone else who’s going to the same place but I have a friend who’ll be studying in Cardiff which won’t be too far away at least.”

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Taking up a place at University College London is So-Hee Kim, who also studied Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

“I always wanted to do Medicine so I’ll be travelling over on September 24 to start the course, which lasts six years. I’m really excited about it,” she told the Times.

More coverage in this week’s Times...