NI students post best-ever GCSE results

Northern Ireland's GCSE students have once again improved on the performance of previous years, with almost 98% of candidates achieving pass grades.

This year saw 68% of candidates gaining the top three grades, which is a 1.4% rise on last year's mark. Overall, this summer's mark matches the trend set by the province's A-level students who saw a 4% rise in the numbers of candidates gaining pass grades at 96.4%.

The Education Minister and Employment and Learning Ministers welcomed this year’s GCSE results and praised the hard work of local pupils.

Education Minister Martin McGuinness said high standards have once again been achieved in this year’s GCSE examination results.

He said: “This success must be attributed to the commitment of pupils and the guidance and support they have received from their teachers and parents.

“Pupils now have to choose whether to stay at school, go into further education and training or enter the world of employment. I am confident that their time at school will give them a sound foundation for whatever they decide and I wish them success for the future.”

Employment Minister Carmel Hanna also praised the high level of effort being made by pupils and teachers.

However, she advised students to carefully consider all their options and gather the most up-to-date information possible when moving on to the next stage in their development.

“Each pupil is now faced with an ever widening range of options. It is vitally important that informed choices are made about the next step, whether that involves staying on at school or going to college for academic or vocational study; taking up a Traineeship or Modern Apprenticeship; or finding a job," she said.

"I would encourage everyone to discuss their options carefully with parents and teachers, and to seek professional advice from my Department’s Careers Service.”

Of this year's 202,713 GCSE entrants: 6.1% were awarded A* grades; 21% were awarded A*-A grades; and 97.7% were awarded A*-G grades.

Northern Ireland's A-level students, who received their results last week, reported 96.4% of entries achieving a grade in the A–E range – a 4% rise. At AS-level there was good news too with the overall pass rate was also up with 93.9% achieving an A–E grade, as compared to 92.5% in 2001.

(GMcG)