Video: Ballyclare High pupils celebrate A Level success

On Thursday morning as A Level results were being received by students across the UK, the Times caught up with pupils and staff at Ballyclare High School.
By Russell Keers
Published 13th Aug 2015, 14:17 BST
Pupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie ParkinsonPupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie Parkinson
Pupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie Parkinson

According to the school, pupils achieved a 100 per cent pass rate at grades A to E, with around 76 per cent achieving grades A* to C.

This year the number of A* and A grades received by pupils at the school has doubled from last year.

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Dr Michelle Rainey, the school’s incoming principal, said she was very pleased with this year’s results.

Pupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie ParkinsonPupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie Parkinson
Pupils receiving their results at Ballyclare High School. Hannah Magee (4A's), Mr John Whincup (Head of Sixth Year), Anna Lawther (A*, A and B) and Megan Adams (B and 2C's). INNT-34-800. Picture by Freddie Parkinson

“The grades this year are in no way less than what they were last year, and we are very pleased,” she said.

“There has been a big push whether that is A’s pushing into A*s or B’s pushing into A’s which we are very happy about, and hopefully we’ll see more of that over the next three or four years,” Dr Rainey added.

The school prides itself in the careers advice that it offers, and staff were on hand today to help pupils make the important choices.

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“We have a very robust careers service, and each individual will be given the opportunity to speak to a member of staff about their university choices and whether or not they have made the grade,” Dr Rainey continued.

“It is a very anxious time for everybody including their parents, but we do our best to quell those fears and move people forward,” she said.

It wasn’t just the pupils and their parents who were anxious about the results, the staff were nervous for the pupils too.

“Even though we are not their parents, as teachers we all had butterflies last night and this morning because we feel so much for young people and where they are going in life. Some of them may think it is the end of the world when things don’t go so well, but it’s not. Everybody finds their way ultimately,” Dr Rainey concluded.

Dr Rainey will succeed Mr David Knox as principal of Ballyclare High School in September.