news

 

 

Year on year, exam results in integrated colleges across Northern Ireland have improved. This year is no exception. This week students in integrated colleges across Northern Ireland received outstanding results in GCSEs and A levels.

 

Examples of success include Priory Integrated College, Holywood, where 100% of Year 14 students attained 3 passes at GCE A Level; 90% of these were at grades A – C and 23% were A grades. All Priory Year 14 leavers have attained places at university with the exception of one young entrepreneur who has started his own business.

 

Principal Peter McCreadie stated: “These wonderful results illustrate the folly of making permanent academic judgements about children at age 11. All of these successful young people were labelled as failures at the time of transfer.”

 

In Crumlin Integrated College, Dr Annabel Scott, Headmistress, was delighted with this year’s GCSE results achieved by the school’s Year 12 pupils. A very impressive 84% of all Year 12 pupils achieved one or more C grades with 54% receiving five or more A*-C grades.

 

In Lagan College, Principal Helen McHugh was equally delighted with a pass rate for A Level at 98.5% while at GCSE level over 70% of students achieved 5-10 GCSE passes at the higher grades of A*-C.

 

Hazelwood Integrated College saw another increase in its results with 68% of its students achieving five or more A*-C grades and 100% receiving GCSE grades. The pass rate at A level was an impressive 100%. Principal Eileen Lenihan paid tribute to staff and students on these excellent results.

 

Malone College GCSE results increased by over 21%, while A level performance increased by over 3%. A number of Newcomer Pupils who took GCSE examinations in their mother tongues all received pass grades. Malone College principal Mr Gerard Price expressed his delight at the performance of the pupils.

 

North Coast Integrated are delighted to report a 100% success rate A - E in all subjects at GCSE level. 65% achieved A* - C in 5 or more subjects with 7 students achieving 10 or more GCSEs A* - C and 3 students gaining straight As in 10 or more subjects.

 

The results of individual students were outstanding. One such was Darren Moore of Oakgrove integrated College who achieved 4 A grades at A Level in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics securing a place at Queen’s University to study Theoretical Physics.

At Shimna Integrated College, the range of achievement is exemplified by Tanya celebrating the third year of Shimna´s Specialist Languages Status with a place at Oriel College Oxford to read French, Rachel heading to study Veterinary Science at Nottingham University, Lee heading to the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and Callum heading to Westminster University to study television production. Students are also heading to Queens, University of Ulster, University of Dundee, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of Aberdeen, Newcastle University, Liverpool University, Sheffield University etc. to study law, biomedical sciences, nursing, business management, English, Spanish, French, archaeology, accountancy, geography etc. Among the AS students meeting Reg Empey and Caitriona Ruane on results day were two girls, an eleven plus grade A and one who didn´t sit the exam, both of whom had achieved four A grades in their AS subjects.    

 

Successful students in Erne Integrated College included Ryan O’Sullivan who gained 9 A*s, Jenny Russell gained 7 A*s and 2 A’s at GCSE while Jenny’s older brother gained 4 A grades at A level in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Technology & Design and goes to QUB to study Electronic  and Software Engineering – just a small number of outstanding results enjoyed by pupils at the college.

 

The Board of Directors and all involved in NICIE congratulate these young people on their successes and pay tribute to the work of staff in their schools.

 

As these successful students and their parents decide on the next step of their education, the debate on transfer at eleven continues. Many parents are starting the school year worrying about whether or not their children should suffer the stress of undergoing selection tests for entry into grammar school.

 

Successful exam results from the integrated sector prove that such invidious selection is not necessary. All children in all schools in Northern Ireland, regardless of their status, follow the same curriculum. The high expectations of students and the positive learning environment provided in integrated schools ensure that all children fulfil their potential. In addition, these children have the added privilege of a shared learning of each other’s traditions, backgrounds and beliefs, in an inclusive, all-ability environment committed to reconciliation.

 

Noreen Campbell, newly appointed Chief Executive of NICIE, expressed her delight at the achievements of students across the sector. “I have spent my professional life dedicated to the cause of integrated education, previously as principal of Hazelwood Integrated College and now in my new role. I am privileged to take over this position as chief executive of NICIE at a time when our integrated schools continue to go from strength to strength.”