NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
Integrated Colleges Celebrate Exam Success: Outstanding GCSE results for outstanding students
21st August, 2014
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), Noreen Campbell, welcomed the GCSE exam successes of students at integrated colleges across Northern Ireland.
Year on year, exam results in integrated colleges are outstanding; this year was no exception, with students celebrating exceptional GCSE results. NICIE is delighted at the high level of student achievement and the performance of schools in these exams.
Students, staff and parents at Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh are again celebrating a strong set of GCSE results. The college is extremely proud of its students and extends its congratulations to every one of them. These grades are stepping stones to future plans and successes, and staff have been working hard with many students to help them choose the best course options in the Sixth Form. Students achieving high grades include Scott McIvor: 9A*, 1A; Nathan Stewart 6A*, 4A; Megan Smyth 3A*, 4A, 2B and Niamh Monaghan: 9A.
Lagan College wishes to congratulate their Year 12 students on another impressive set of GCSE results. 71% of students achieved 5-11 passes at A*-C grades in 29 subject areas. A* grades were achieved in a range of subject areas. Personal achievements included a number of students who achieved all A*/A grades. The College is delighted that an increased number of students achieved GCSE English and Mathematics. We are pleased that more students than ever will be able to return to Lagan College’s Sixth Form and look forward to expanding this provision further in future years. Well done Year 12!
Lagan College is delighted that many Year 12 students will be returning to us in September to study a range of 25 A Levels and wish those students who have chosen to pursue vocational courses at Further Education, employment and apprenticeships well.
At Brownlow Integrated College, Craigavon, The Principal, Stephen Creber, expressed his delight at the best results in the school’s history, with 41% of students achieving grades A*-C, including English and Maths.
There were many reasons to celebrate in various departments at Blackwater Integrated College, Downpatrick with students achieving 6 A*s in GCSE Art and Design and the BTEC Sport and GCSE Technology classes both gaining 100% A*-C, to mention just a few. The Signature Project and other effective interventions in the College helped students to earn the excellent results in all areas, helped as always by the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff at Blackwater. Some notable performances came from two students who have level 5 statements of special needs: both achieved 8 GCSEs at grade C and above including in English and Mathematics. Congratulations must go to Killyleagh student Holly Cranston who gained 11 GCSEs at grades A* to C and to Ellen Stewart and Erin Morrison who each achieved 10 GCSEs at grade C and above. Blackwater IC Principal, Dr Olwen Griffith, recognised the importance of parental support and thanked the staff for their continuing hard work with all students.
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 debate on education continues. How do we best prepare our young people to play their part as active citizens in a peaceful and diverse society? How do we ensure a system of education which will enable each young person to fulfil her potential?
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. The all ability character of integrated colleges, 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, 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 22,000 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
