Video: Top marks for Glengormley High pupils

A record number of Year 14 pupils at the specialist ICT academy achieved A Level success, with almost every subject recording a 100 per cent pass rate (A* - E).

According to the school’s principal, Mr Lex Hayes, the ICT department again excelled, with 98 per cent of the pupils entered for exams achieving the top grades (A* - C), and 50 per cent achieving A grades.

The Ballyclare Road school’s Performing Arts pupils - the first year group to sit the subject at Advanced Level - all achieved top grades, with no-one achieving any less than a B. And the school’s Mathematics department recorded its best ever set of results, with 75 per cent of all pupils achieving the top two grades.

Recent successes on the sports field were also carried into the classroom, with 100 per cent of pupils achieving the top grades in their A Level PE course.

Mr Hayes paid tribute to the hard work put in by all concerned, saying: “In a climate of intense competition for pupils in all areas, the hard work of staff, pupils and parents needs to be acknowledged. The work that we put into all areas of the curriculum with pupils who have mostly not achieved success at the 11+ selection shows that every school can indeed be a good school and academic success and high quality teaching is available in Glengormley and other non-selective schools.”

All pupils in Years 13 and 14 studying A levels and Diplomas were provided with a laptop for their use in school and at home, and that arrangement will be continued for all students next year.

“The pupils’ access to help and materials on our Virtual Learning Environment has also contributed to our continuing improvement at A Level and post-16 study,” Mr Hayes added.

“With the Year 13 AS results following the same pattern, next year’s results day should also be a happy one for all students.”

• See more coverage in next week’s Times (on sale August 19)