St Colman’s and St Patrick’s are the top performing schools

St Colman’s and St Patrick’s are the top performing schools

6 April 2016

ST Colman’s High School in Ballynahinch and St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick have been listed as two of the top performing schools in their sector.

League tables published this week show St Patrick’s Grammar School was the ninth best performing grammar school for A-levels last year with 85.7 per cent of students achieving three or more grades A* to C grades.

St Colman’s High School was ranked 18th out of all secondary schools across Northern Ireland for GCSE performance with over 65 per cent of students achieving five or more top grades including English and mathematics.

St Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar (39th position), St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan (40th), Saintfield High School (43rd) and Shimna Integrated College (46th) also made the top 50 non grammar school table.

Although officials warn that it is not reasonable to look at a schools performance based on results alone, many believe schools can be usefully compared on the basis of exam performance.

Principal of St Colman’s High School, Mr Mark Morgan, said he believed his school’s strong performance was due to the hard work of staff, supportive parents and eager students.

He also believes the introduction of free iPads for all students from years eight to 12 has helped boost performance.

He said the school and its governors had decided to make a significant investment in the equipment, which it considered a “portable encyclopaedia” and was delighted to see the investment had paid off.

“We think it has been very worthwhile and it has also had the benefit of making the children extremely computer literate,” he said.

“In terms of results the English and maths are the important ones and it was nice to see that nine out of 10 students got at least five GCSEs.

“It was a good cohort this year and in the last six or seven years we have been in the top 10 or 20 places.”

Mr Sean Sloan, principal of St Patrick’s Grammar School, said he was delighted once again to be rated as one of the top grammar schools in Northern Ireland and the top achieving school in County Down. 

“The achievements are testament to the hard work and determination of students, teachers and parents with high levels of personal support throughout,” he said. 

“When we compare the academic profile of our students when they come to us compared to what have been traditionally viewed as top grammar schools elsewhere, our students have outperformed in terms of ‘value added’. 

“While the majority of our students have been with us for seven years, I am particularly pleased for those students who joined us for A-level studies at the beginning of lower sixth.  

“The students’ academic achievements are matched by their performance in many other areas, in sports, music, drama, support for local community and charities. In many of these areas, I believe our students are not only in the top 10 schools in northern Ireland but they are the very best. 

“Unfortunately we do not have a measure for this area of personal development for which the school is renowned. 

“May I take this opportunity to congratulate the class of 2015, their families and teachers, for their well-deserved success and recognition.”