Principal's praise for top grades at Carrick Grammar

Almost half of the grades received in the school this year were at A or A*, said principal Kieran Mulvenna.

“Congratulations to our Year 12 pupils, their parents and teachers for having produced truly outstanding GCSE results which place Carrickfergus Grammar School significantly above the NI Grammar School average,” Mr Mulvenna added.

“Our young people have certainly achieved the success that they deserve and their future prospects are bright indeed.

“Almost half of all the grades received in the school this year were at A or A* with no less 27 pupils achieving top grades in all nine of their subjects. Some 93 percent of the year group have achieved seven or more GCSE passes including English and Mathematics and we are expecting a very strong return to Sixth Form in September.

“At the top of the year are Charlotte Blair, Rebecca Irvine, Jessica Smyth and Katie Sullivan with a stellar 10 A* grades apiece, but the depth of talent in this year group means that they cannot rest on their laurels as our top group of 17 pupils have achieved a stunning 119 A*s and 46 As between them!

“The overwhelming majority of our subjects have a pass rate well beyond 90 percent including the popular STEM areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Technology and Mathematics. Whilst this is welcome news for the NI labour market it is also important that pupils who study the Humanities are equally well catered for, and with well over 200 top grades achieved across English, History, Music and Modern Languages this side of the curriculum is also in tremendous health.

“Well done too to our Year 11 pupils who took GCSE Maths one year early in order to pursue Further Maths in September – a 100 percent success rate with 22 A* grades is a tribute to their talent and my colleagues’ hard work.”