{"id":40563,"date":"2024-08-15T09:47:11","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T09:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/fall-in-top-grades-as-results-back-to-pre-covid-levels\/"},"modified":"2024-08-15T09:47:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T09:47:12","slug":"fall-in-top-grades-as-results-back-to-pre-covid-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/fall-in-top-grades-as-results-back-to-pre-covid-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall in top grades as results back to pre-Covid levels"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"PacemakerPacemaker<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Pupils at Belfast High School opened their results in school on Thursday<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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There has been a fall in the number of A-level entries in Northern Ireland awarded top A* and A grades in 2024.<\/p>\n

That was widely expected as grades returned to pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n

About 30.3% of A-level entries have been awarded A* or A grades in 2024, compared to 37.5% in 2023, 44% in 2022 and a record 51% in 2021.<\/p>\n

About one in every 12 (8.2%) A-levels in 2024 has been awarded at the top A* grade.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In 2020 and 2021, schools calculated grades for their pupils<\/a> after summer exams were cancelled due to the pandemic. <\/p>\n

One of the effects of that was a significant rise in results.<\/p>\n

In 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, about 29.4% of A-level entries were awarded the top two grades.<\/p>\n

Maths was again the most popular A-level subject in Northern Ireland in 2024, with around one in ten students taking it.<\/p>\n

The rest of the top five most popular subjects were biology, health and social care, business studies and history.<\/p>\n

Overall, more than a third of A-levels taken in Northern Ireland in 2024 were in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘Do what you enjoy’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"New-Bridge<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

New-Bridge Integrated College student Matthew got 2 A grades and a B <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Matthew, who studied A-levels at New-Bridge Integrated College in Loughbrickland, County Down, received two A grades and a B on Thursday. <\/p>\n

“I’m really happy with my results,” he told BBC News NI. <\/p>\n

“I’m going on to do mathematical physics at Liverpool. <\/p>\n

“I don’t know what exactly I want to do yet but I love maths so the thinking is – do what you enjoy and you’ll figure it out.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘We\u2019re sick of each other’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"Twins<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Twins Sam and Joe will be living separately when they go to college<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Twins Sam and Joe, who also attended New-Bridge, said they felt OK about their results.<\/p>\n

Both are heading to Queens University, Belfast – Sam to do music production and Joe to study archaeology. <\/p>\n

Sam will be going to live in Belfast but Joe will be staying at home. <\/p>\n

When asked if they will be okay living separately they said it was “not a big deal”.<\/p>\n

“I think we\u2019re sick of each other being twins for so long but it\u2019ll be grand, we can always text each other.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘Very expensive’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"Eoin<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Eoin McMullan studied maths, further maths, physics and business studies<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Down High student Eoin McMullan, from Castlewellan, is hoping to study accountancy at Queen’s University, Belfast.<\/p>\n

The teenager acknowledged a university education was now very expensive but said it would be “very sad if someone didn’t go to university just because of the money aspect”.<\/p>\n

“I was considering maybe doing an apprenticeship, but I thought to just go in and get it over and done with,” he added. <\/p>\n

“And there’s things you can do, like part-time jobs , which I will definitely want to do.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Off to the US to play tennis<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"Meena<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Down High School pupil Meena Lennon is taking up a tennis scholarship in the US<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Meena Lennon from Killyleagh, County Down, said her results were a lot better than she was expecting.<\/p>\n

But the Down High School pupil is flying to the US next week to take up a tennis scholarship in Virginia.<\/p>\n

“A bit of a far, far journey for me, but exciting, very exciting,” she said. <\/p>\n

“I’m playing on a college team, and at the same time getting my education and my degree.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘Travel where I want’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"Grace<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Grace McMullan is planning to take a gap year<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Fellow Down High student Grace McMullan studied maths, biology and chemistry.<\/p>\n

“I was very happy with my results, definitely not what I was expecting, so that’s very good,” she said. <\/p>\n

Grace is now planning to take a gap year before returning to education. <\/p>\n

“I’m hoping to work for the first couple months and then maybe go abroad and work as well, make some more money and then just travel where I want to.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Tom<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tom, a student at New-Bridge Integrated in Loughbrickland, was happy with his A* B B results<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

‘Important milestone’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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About 26,000 students received their A-level, AS-level and BTEC results on Thursday.<\/p>\n

At AS-level, trends were similar to A-level, with 26.7% of entries awarded an A-grade in 2024, compared to 26.4% in 2019.<\/p>\n

Almost nine in every 10 AS-level and A-level entries in Northern Ireland are made through the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) exams board.<\/p>\n

The CCEA’s chief executive Gerry Campbell offered congratulations to the students receiving results.<\/p>\n

“These results are an important milestone for thousands of young people across the country and students should feel proud of their achievements,” he said.<\/p>\n

“2024 also marks a milestone for examinations as we have completed the first normal exam year since the pandemic began.”<\/p>\n

“This would not have been possible without the collaboration and hard work of our schools and colleges, and I wish to especially thank them for their support and commitment to our students across Northern Ireland.”<\/p>\n

“Best wishes to all our students today and in the future.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Helplines for students<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"GettyGetty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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The majority of qualifications are taken through CCEA, though some students will also receive grades from English and Welsh exam boards.<\/p>\n

Some are also awaiting results of BTEC qualifications on Thursday.<\/p>\n

CCEA will operate a results helpline from Thursday 15 August until Wednesday 28 August. The number is 028 9026 1260.<\/p>\n

The Department for the Economy’s careers service is also operating an online advice service or you can access its help by telephoning 0300 200 7820.<\/p>\n

Pupils awaiting GCSE results will receive them on Thursday 22 August.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Additional reporting by Cormac Campbell, Claire Quinn and Gloria Ifonlaja<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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