A-level success stories at Ballymena Academy

A smile from Edward Bell tells its own story! Picture Ian Headden

Remarkably almost three-quarters of the year group achieved at least one A grade.

The Principal, Mr. Stephen Black said: “It was especially gratifying to see not only many outstanding individual achievements but significant success across the year groups involved. From a whole school perspective it is very encouraging to note the levels of achievement across the school curriculum with almost all subjects well in excess of N.I. Grammar School averages.”

Vital statistics: 93% of the ‘A’ level results were graded A* - C; 84% of the young people achieved 3 or more passes at grades A* - C, well above the N.I. Grammar School average of 76%;

Peter Todd who was successful in gaining a place at Stranmillis College. Picture: Ian Headden

Approximately one quarter of the year group achieved a minimum of 3 ‘A’ grades, with a number gaining A* in all subjects.

Mr. Black added: “Independent analysis, carried out by the A-Level Information Service (ALIS) based at the University of Durham, shows that the school ‘adds value’. This analysis shows that, on average, pupils receive a significant higher standard of ‘A’ Level results in Ballymena Academy than their counterparts in other schools across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.”

Top achievers were as follows: Three pupils each obtained a combination of 4 A*/A grades – Tom Ballantine, Edward Bell, Stefan Kennedy.

Nine pupils achieved A* grades in each of their three ‘A’ Level subjects – Bethany Armstrong, Peter Barron, Carrie Coulter, David Craig, Alice Glasgow, Richard Johnston, Timothy Spence, Ryan Stewart and Michael Wray.

Mr. Black congratulates Head Girl Emma Kernohan on her three A grades. Picture: Ian Headden

A further 29 pupils obtained three A*/A grades – Lochlann Allison, Esther Blair, Jodie Burnside, Niall Cavanagh, Lauren Connor, Rachel Davidson, Andrew Dempster, Abbie Donaldson, Jonathan Elliott, Alicia Gibson, Katie Hall, Gideon Jones, Amy Kernohan, Emma Kernohan, Fergus McCullough, Lauren McCullough, Grace McKeown, Cora McLaughlin, Joshua McNabney, Ben Millar, Christopher Moorhead, Catherine Murdock, Sophie Nelson, Cameron Rodgers, Ross Smyth, Katie Stewart, Jonathan Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Johanna Wright.