Best ever ‘A’ results at Academy

Students from Ballymena Academy who achieved three A's or more in their recent A Level exams are pictured Mr. R. Hassard (principal) and Mrs. A. McDonald (head of year 14). INBT34-228AC

Principal Ronnie Hassard congratulated all those who had done so well, thanked parents for the part they play in supporting such success and applauded the school’s teaching and support staff for their essential and professional contributions.

Six pupils each obtained a minimum of three A* grades – Naomi Boon, Jonathon Cushenan, Anna Hayburn, Scott Livingstone, Andrew O’Neill (4 A* grades), and Victoria Walsh.

Six pupils each obtained a combination of four A*/A grades – Christopher Blackwell, Hannah Cole, Jonathan Day, Katie Fullerton, Rachel Herbison, Peter Steele.

A further 22 pupils obtained three A*/A grades, or more – Kelso Aiken, Matthew Bell, Heather Carson, Holly Fullerton, Emma Greer, Timothy Greer, Ashleigh Howe, Claire Hoy, Christopher Kyne, Chloe Manson, Taylor McClintock, Shannon McKay, Lee, Millar, Sarah Mitchell, Andrew Nesbitt, Caitlin Roulston, Oliver Simpson, Chris Spence, Rebecca Thompson, Zara Thompson, Ashlea Whann, David Wilson.

The principal pointed out that almost one quarter of the year group achieved three ‘A’ grades, with a number gaining A* in all their subjects

Eight-two per cent achieved three or more passes at A*-C, above the grammar school average and 91% of the ‘A’ level results received were grades A*-C.

Mr Hassard pointed out that almost one quarter of the year group Independent analysis, carried out by the A-Level Information Service, based at the University of Durham, shows that the school ‘adds value’. On average, pupils receive a significantly higher standard of ‘A’ Level results than their counterparts in other schools across NI and Great Britain.

Mr Hassard said that in recent years awarding bodies have acted to control grade inflation.

“In 2013 fewer A* and A grades have been awarded and overall pass rates will remain stationary, if they do not actually decrease. In that context, it is even more commendable that results obtained by our pupils show further improvement,” he said.

“We are not at all complacent. We will continue to do our best to enable all our pupils to achieve excellent examination results. These results confirm the very positive findings of the Inspection Report, published just over a year ago. Ballymena Academy is a very good school, which prioritises pupils and promotes high standards of learning and achievement.”