Students are on mark with top GCSE grades

Students are on mark with top GCSE grades

27 August 2014

STUDENTS flooded their school corridors from the early hours of Thursday morning awaiting the delivery of this year’s GCSE results.

There were celebrations on the steps of schools across the district as papers were scoured for grades.

With figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications CIC (JCQCIC) showing continued high performance with the performance of pupils rising at A* - C by 1.5% points to 78.0% of entries, principals have united to praise the efforts of children and staff.

Assumption Grammar School’s outgoing principal, Paul McBride confirmed every Assumption student had achieved at least seven GCSE passes from A*-C with almost 90% of all grades awarded at A*-B.

Twenty nine girls achieved A*and A grades in nine GCSE subjects with Sheron Blair achieving 11 A*s, Hannah McKeown, Siobhan Gilmore and Catherine Braniff achieving 10 A*s.

Newly appointed principal, Peter Dobbin said the students had worked closely with their teachers and the caring and supportive environment offered by the school had enabled them to flourish and achieve.

Barry Sharvin, principal of De La Salle High School, said he was delighted that the numbers achieving five or more A*-C grades including English and maths were 18% above last year’s national average.

“With boys generally outperformed by girls it’s good to see the pupils of De La Salle High School going against the trend,” he said.

“Pupils who arrived at the school having not performed in the transfer test are now enrolling for their A-levels.

“One pupil deemed a failure after 11+ has now achieved 2A*, 4A and 3B grades. I have no doubt that he and the rest of the pupils will also achieve in their A-levels and reach their full potential.”

Blackwater Integrated College principal, Dr. Olwen Griffith, commended the teenagers for their good results with particular mention to art and design students who achieved six 6 A*s and the BTEC sport and GCSE technology classes which gained a 100% pass rate from A*-C.

Special mention was also made of two special needs students who achieved eight GCSEs at grade C and above including in English and mathematics and Killyleagh student Holly Cranston who gained 11 GCSEs at grades A* to C and to Ellen Stewart and Erin Morrison who each achieved 10 GCSEs at grade C and above.

Vivien Watt, principal of Saintfield High School, said she was proud to report another successful year with 70 per cent of pupils achieving five GCSE grades at A*-C.

She also mentioned outstanding individual performances, with top student, Daniel Weir, achieving four ‘A*’ grades, five ‘A’ grades, and one ‘B’ grade and top female student Rachel Martin, who achieved two A*s three As, three Bs and one C.

At Down High School over fifty-two per cent of all grades were either A* or A, with over four in every five grades being A*, A or B. Bronwyn Burtney’s eight A* grades were surpassed only by Lindsay Heenan’s 9 A*s and Sophie Blaney’s ten A* grades.

“The two most essential GCSEs for young people today are English and mathematics and it is most gratifying that every Down High pupil passed both of these subjects,” said principal, Paul Logan.

“In fact, ninety-five per cent of these pupils achieved a B or above and three quarters of these obtained an A* or A in mathematics.”

St. Patrick’s Grammar School principal, Sean Sloan, paid tribute to the hard work of the pupils and the commitment of the teachers in ensuring top grades for pupils.

Seventy six per cent of all grades awarded were A*-B and 90% of pupils achieved A*-C grades in at least nine subjects. He was very proud of the fact that students were left well placed to further their educational journey in a variety of Post-16 courses.

He added that the strong links and support systems between home and school were vitally important in maintaining the excellent results of the school year on year.

The principal of St. Malachy’s High School, Jean McCombe, said once again the quality of results has increased with many students securing A* and A grades in a wide range of subjects.

“The GCSE results of our students places them in a very strong position for further meaningful educational programmes of study,” she said.

Mrs. McCombe spoke about St Malachy’s as a school that invites all its students to succeed through its provision of diverse post-16 courses, all delivered on the school campus, catering for the different learning styles and career aspirations of young people.

The principal of St. Mary’s High School, Sheila Darling, has praised the “great successes” of the GCSE students.

“In St. Mary’s High School every child is supported to experience success. We live the motto ‘Every Child Matters.’

“St. Mary’s High School works in close partnership with students and their families to ensure every child reaches their potential. No student is labelled a failure in our school,” she said.

At Shimna Integrated College the principal, Kevin Lambe, said the school is delighted with the students’ achievements across the board.

“There are excellent individual achievements, which range from A*s to people attaining their personal very best. We are proud of every one. This is a very special year for Shimna, as we celebrate not only our twentieth anniversary, but also our successful development proposal to grow, enabling us to extend our sixth form provision. Work on the new sports hall begins next term,” he said.