NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Thursday 15th August 2013

Integrated Colleges Celebrate Exam Success: Outstanding results for outstanding students

The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), Noreen Campbell, welcomed the A level exam successes of students at integrated colleges across Northern Ireland.

Year on year, exam results in integrated colleges are outstanding, this year proving no exception, with students celebrating exceptional A-level results.

This was certainly true for Oakgrove Integrated College students Michael Doherty, who gained 3 A* and 1A grade and Sunita Singh Hans, who gained 3 A grades. Both students have also demonstrated excellent leadership skills in their role as Head Boy and Deputy Head girl.

Students at Shimna Integrated College showed similar success. Examples are Aritz Sterne, taking his four As and A*s in physics, maths, chemistry and biology to University College London to read physics, while Sambie Lee takes her straight As to the University of Ulster to read Business Studies. AS students too celebrate results that show they are on the path to high achievement. Ryan Cairns, member of the Youth Parliament for South Down, has managed to combine his campaigning with achieving straight As in his politics, history and geography. Dearbhail Brogan and Keely Hastings, both of whom already had A level Irish under their belt before they even entered sixth form, have added four more excellent grades to their tally. Rory Moore came back from serious illness to achieve AS grades which put him right back on the path to success. Principal Kevin Lambe said: “Today is a day for celebrating the achievement of every student who has fulfilled her or his potential. The league tables the press has reintroduced into our system distort the stories of greatest success, where students have achieved against all prediction and against the odds. We celebrate the achievement of all our students.”

All 107 Hazelwood Integrated College students achieved 100% success in their Advanced Level results today.

The Principal Mrs Kathleen Gormley said: “The excellent results from this diverse group of sixth formers across 23 subjects reflect the hard work of both students and teachers and provide students with the platform to move on to further and higher education as well as employment.”

Among the top achieving subjects are Business Studies, ICT, Health and Social Care, Moving Image Arts and Sports Studies.

Hazelwood’s reputation for excellence in educating international students has continued with 11 students achieving top grades at Advanced Level. Hazelwood aims to enhance this further in the next academic year by providing opportunities for International work placements.

Exceptional results were recorded in Sperrin Integrated College.

The school is absolutely delighted that this year it is boys have topped the poll with many achieving straight A grades.

Amongst the highest achieving pupils are:

• Head Boy, Jovian Delaforce with an A in Mathematics, an A in Biology and an A in Physics.

• Ryan Feathers who achieved A* in Design and Technology, A* in Geography, A in Biology and C in Mathematics.

• Benjamin Porter with an A in English Literature, an A in Geography and an A in Religious Studies.

• Mark Kennedy with an A in each of Design and Technology and ICT, and B grades in both Biology and Geography.

• Megan Gibson led the way for the girls achieving A grades in ICT and Maths and a B in Biology followed by Head Girl, Niamh Clarke with an A in Art and Design, a B in English Literature and a B in Religious Studies.

Over 90% of these Upper Sixth students have attained a place on a chosen course at University. As a non-selective school at age 11 this is outstanding.

Former Sperrin students have now been graduating from University since 2012 and they have their very first ‘1st Class Honours’ graduate in Jude Henderson who got his degree in Architecture from University of Ulster. We look forward to many more.

Principal Alastair Rowan said: “I am delighted with these results. Our pupils’ success can be attributed to a number of factors. These include excellent teaching, the high level of pastoral support and of course the hard work and dedication of our pupils.” He added: “As an Integrated school our staff are very achievement focused, with a high level of aspiration for all students. This, coupled with parental support provides the winning formula for our continued high level of achievement.”

Students at Priory Integrated College achieved outstanding results this year, with 96% of the Year 14 students achieving at least two A Level grades at A*-E and a record-breaking 88% achieving at least 3 A Level grades at A*-C!  Many students achieved the top grades of A and A*, including Paul Ward’s two A*s in Double Award Business and a grade A in Information Technology, Laura Forster’s 3 As in Double Award Business and Health & Social Care, Shane Davidson’s A* in Sport, A in Business Studies and B in ICT and Margaret McDowell who achieved 3 Bs in Business Studies, Travel and tourism and Religious Education.  “This is our best ever set of A Level results,” said Ms Jacqui Argument, the college Principal.  “We are so delighted that the hard work of all of our students and staff has paid off and that the young people can now look forward to taking their places at university.”

New-Bridge Integrated College A Level students will go on record as achieving the highest set of A Level results to date in the school. 98% of their pupils achieved 3 A Levels and over 63% achieved 3A*-C grades. This is a magnificent achievement and a reflection of the hard work of both students and teachers alike, working together with our supportive parents. The NI Average for non selective schools was set at 44% for students achieving 3 A*-C grades at A Level so they are delighted to report that they are almost 20% above this figure at 63%; this reflects a 3 year trend in improved A Level results. 12 of their top pupils achieve A*/A grades in at 2+ A Levels, with A* grades achieved in subjects including Mathematics, English, Sports Studies and Media Studies.

The Board of Governors, Principal, staff and students of Integrated College Dungannon (ICD) are delighted with the AS and A’ Level results received with 100% of students attaining 2+ A* – E grades at A’ Level.

Head of Sixth Form, Louise Burke said, “We are delighted for our students. They have worked hard to attain the best results they could both at AS and A’ Level and have made both the college and their families very proud”.

This year’s top performers were Oxford bound, Michal Jurkowski with straight A* grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Art & Design and a grade A in AS Level ICT; Ryan Cairns with A* grades in Biology and Chemistry and A grades in Physics and Mathematics. Other notable successes came from, Sophie Lennon, James Nesbitt, Laura Tate, Niamh McElroy and Kacper Kuczkowski.

The college’s success was also reflected at AS level with excellent results from the students. Top achievers included Stephanie Brown, Stacey Flynn, and Katie Rice – all of whom will continue to study to A’ Level at ICD. Other notable successes at AS Level came from Jason Burt, Jodie Stanford and Sarah McKernan.

Mr Andrew Sleeth, Principal of Integrated College Dungannon praised the students’ success adding, “The success of our students encourages an increasing number of students to join ICD for Sixth Form. We have carefully selected the range of courses available and are able to ensure that all our students’ subject requests are met. The results today are excellent. I would like to take this opportunity to wish those students who have now completed their studies at ICD every success in the future and would invite them to stay in touch with the college, in the years to come, if we can help them in any way with their chosen career”.

Students, staff and parents from Drumragh Integrated College have celebrated an impressive set of AS and A-level results again this year. Standards continue to flourish and the College is delighted for the many students who have gained entry to the university courses or future options of their choice. This is a momentous next step for each one of them and they deserve their success. The College congratulates them all as they are rewarded for their talents, commitment and months of hard work.

The College continues to grow from strength to strength, and its 2013 AS and A-level results provide ample evidence of this. Individual successes include the following.

Year 13 results:

• Rebecca Hood: AAAB
•  Niall McAteer: AAB
•  Dylan McCusker: ABB
•  Marie McGillin: ABBB
•  Megan Monaghan: AAAB
•  Teresa Mulligan: ABB
•  Eoin Murnaghan: ABBB

Year 14 results and next steps:

• Rachel Andrews: AAAB Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University
• Michaela Bristow: A*AB Foundation Degree in Art and Design at South West College
• Ryan Carolan: ABB Computing and Information Technology at Queen’s University
• Tracey Convey: BBC Year out – volunteering
• Michaela Conway: ABC Next steps to be confirmed
• Stephen Donnelly: AAA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Queen’s University
• Rachael Hawkes: AABB Entering employment
• Brian McConnell: AAAA Next steps to be confirmed
• Emma McGrath: BBC Adult Nursing at Queen’s University
• Conor McQuaid: BBC Marine Science at University of Ulster, Jordanstown
• Shannon Melaugh: A*AB History and Politics at Queen’s University
• Aimee Moore: ABB Business and Accounting at University of Ulster, Jordanstown

Drumragh’s committed staff are so proud of all those students who have worked hard, achieved their personal best and in some cases have done even better than was expected. To see students attain their goals through sheer hard work, determination and individual talent is a delight, and the College celebrates all of these successes rather than just those who have been awarded the top grades. Staff and students have worked hard together, in partnership with parents, and now can enjoy the fruits of all they have achieved.

The board of directors and all involved in NICIE congratulate these young people on their successes and pay tribute to the dedicated work of staff in their colleges.

As these successful students move on to the next stage of their education, the debates on education continue. How will the demand for increased places in integrated education be met through area based planning? When will a method of transfer be found which does away with the need for selection?

Many parents will begin the school year agonising about whether their children should undergo the stress of 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 every school throughout Northern Ireland, regardless of 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. This is a privilege denied to many.

Noreen Campbell, NICIE Chief Executive, expressed her delight at the achievements of students across the sector: “Integrated colleges are the most popular and most oversubscribed schools in Northern Ireland. These results tell us why: integrated colleges provide a high achieving environment for all students.”

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact Noreen Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at (028) 9097 2910, mobile 0787 8721327 or via e-mail to ncampbell@nicie.org.uk or via email to lmcivor@nicie.org.uk

Notes to the Editor

1. In Northern Ireland, about 93% of children attend schools which are either exclusively or predominantly catholic or protestant. The first integrated school, Lagan College, opened in 1981 with 28 pupils. There are currently 62 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, 20 second level colleges and 42 integrated primaries, altogether educating over 21,000 pupils.

2. A recent Millward Brown survey found that 83% of parents in Belfast believe that integrated education is a vital part of building a shared future in Northern Ireland. 72% of parents believe that funding for integrated education should be prioritised, with enough places available for those who wish to send their children to an integrated school.

3. Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practice a child-centred approach to teaching methods.

4. Established in 1987, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) is a voluntary organisation that was set up to develop, support and promote integrated education in Northern Ireland. The underpinning principle of integrated education is that by bringing together catholic, protestant and children of other faiths in a shared environment, they can learn to understand, respect and tolerate differences. For more information please visit www.nicie.org