YOUNG people across Fermanagh are now preparing to take their next step after receiving their A level results last week.

Figures released on behalf of the Joint Council for Qualifications last Thursday showed a continued strong performance by Northern Ireland students in the examinations.

Principals from schools across Fermanagh and the Clogher Valley have been united in their praise this week for another set of excellent local results, with students now preparing to move on to study at universities and colleges across Ireland, the UK and also further afield.

MOUNT LOURDES GRAMMAR SCHOOL

120 students sat three A Level examinations; 89 of whom attained three A* to C grades and 56 students attained three A* to B grades.

A total of 20 students achieved three A grades or better.

Top performers were Grainne Kennedy and Sophie O’ Dolan, who each achieved an A* and 3A grades.

88 per cent of grades achieved were A* to C.

35 per cent were A* or A grades.

Principal: Maureen McKeever

“Once again, the Year 14 students of Mount Lourdes have produced an excellent set of A Level results. The Board of Governors, Senior Leadership Team and staff are delighted that despite the highly competitive climate, the majority of our students secured third level courses in line with their career aspirations.

“As in previous years, our results are a product of our broad and balanced curriculum offer and our flexible approach to meeting the learning and pastoral needs of all students.

“This approach enables students access an appropriate career pathway and enjoy success. These results also reflect a high level of motivation from our students, the dedication and hard work of our teachers and the on-going support of our parents.”

PORTORA ROYAL SCHOOL

87 per cent of A Level students achieved three subjects at grades A* to C.

Principal: Neil Morton

“The A level results just published are the last set of results of Portora Royal school in its present incarnation.

“In September it amalgamates with the Collegiate Grammar school to form the Enniskillen Royal Grammar school. Once again, we are proud that our students have established Portora Royal School as the top performing school in the county and one of the top schools in Northern Ireland.

“In 2015, 82 per cent of our students achieved at least three A levels with grades A*to C. This ranked the school 17th in Northern Ireland. In 2016, while in the midst of difficult and challenging changes, the students have achieved an astonishing set of results with 87 per cent achieving three subjects at A* to C. This statistic would have ranked the school in the top six in NI in 2015.

“These results stand as great testimony to the commitment of the Portora teachers who guided the students to success while the difficult procedures of the amalgamation increasingly dominated their professional lives.

“And congratulations are due to the members of the Board of Governors of Portora who kept vision and faith in their support of Portoran values, policies and practices.”

COLLEGIATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

90 per cent of A Level grades at A* to C.

A third of pupils got at least one A*.

Fifteen girls had three Grade As or better.

Top achievers were Harley Beattie, who achieved one A* and three As, Tamsin Martin, who achieved three A*s and Becky Johnston and Amy Wilson, who each achieved two A*s and 1A.

Acting Principal: Kerry McCabe

“We are very pleased that their very strong performance at Advanced Level across a wide range of subjects has enabled the class of 2016 to pursue a diverse range of university pathways.

“This year the girls are heading off to courses as varied as Biochemistry at Bristol, Mechanical Engineering at Bath, English Literature at Glasgow, Medicine and Pharmacy and Dentistry at Queen’s University, Belfast.

“This year’s destinations also include the USA where Elizabeth Clarke will study at the University of Wisconsin, where she will also take up a rowing bursary.”

ST. MICHAEL’S COLLEGE

76 per cent of A Level pupils achieved A* to C in three or more subjects.

Over two thirds of all the grades awarded were grade B or better, with more than one third of all the grades awarded A or A*.

Principal: Mark Henry

“Everyone at St. Michael’s is absolutely delighted with the results achieved by our students. The boys have produced outstanding results.

“They continue to perform brilliantly in our range of vocational courses, for example, of the 12 students who studied BTEC Construction, nine achieved a double distinction or better which is the equivalent of two A grades.

“I am delighted that the vast majority of the boys have been placed in their chosen course at University, with many having secured places at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK and in Ireland.

“This is just reward for all their hard work over the last two years in St. Michael’s College. We wish them all continued success with their studies.”

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

A Level students achieved 100 per cent pass rate at grades A* to E, with 60 per cent achieving A* to C grades.

Principal: Helena Palmer

“These results represent the outstanding work from both our students and staff alongside the encouragement and support given to them by their parents and will enable the boys to continue onto the next steps of their learning journey.

“The boys are moving on to university courses ranging from Engineering to Law to Teaching and Business Management, with every one of them being accepted onto their first choice course.”

DEVENISH COLLEGE

A higher number of pupils achieved the top A* and A grades.

“Very notable” performances included Susan Surphlis, who achieved two A*s and an A, Jamie Griffin with one A*and two As, Peter Clarke with one A*, one A and a B, Chloe Jameson two As and a B, Julie Johnston an A and two Bs, Leanne Harpur an A*, a B and a C and James Armstrong with an A, a B and a C.

Principal: Simon Mowbray

“Devenish College is delighted to record another excellent set of results which once again places the school above the Northern Ireland average. As well as our grades improving from last year, we also have a higher number of pupils achieving the top A* and A grades.

“Our students have worked extremely hard over the last two years and should feel very proud of their achievements. These results reflect the exceptional dedication, expertise and commitment of our staff and the significant support provided by their parents.

“The College are also delighted with the AS results, which will guarantee continued improvement next year.”

ERNE INTEGRATED COLLEGE

96 per cent of pupils achieved two or more A level grades.

Top student was William McElroy, who achieved three A grades. He will be studying Veterinary Medicine at Bristol University.

Principal: Jimmy Jackson-Ware

“The delight of the Erne Integrated College students was evident as they gathered to celebrate their success at A level.

“The majority are going to university, with some choosing local Foundation Degree courses or work-related training.

“I am very happy for all our Post 16 students who worked hard to achieve their personal best and thanked the staff for their commitment and dedication in ensuring that every student reached their potential in what is another very successful year for Erne Integrated College.”

FIVEMILETOWN COLLEGE

100 per cent of pupils sitting three or more A Levels have gained grades A* to E.

68 per cent sitting three or more A Levels gained grades A* to C.

Top A Level students were James Massey (an A*, 2As and one B), Jordan Garrity (an A* and two As), Mark Gordon (an A* and two As), Rebekka Allen (an A and two Bs), Kathryn Allen (a Distinction* and two Bs).

Acting principal: Janice Allen

“I am delighted to extend congratulations on behalf of the staff and Board of Governors, to the pupils of Fivemiletown College who have performed exceptionally well in their A Level examinations this year.

“They are delighted that many students have attained excellent examination results allowing them to be placed in various Universities and Colleges across the UK.

“The overall results are a wonderful reflection of a thriving post-16 provision in Fivemiletown College. We congratulate all our students on their efforts.

“In Year 13, the top students were Christine Ferguson (two As and two Bs), Gemma Little (two As and one B), Claire Allen (one A and two Bs), Jack Montgomery (one A and two Bs) and Steven Read (one A and two Bs).

“The success of our students is a reflection of their positive work ethic, which is underpinned by the guidance of dedicated staff and supportive parents. These achievements are a culmination of several years’ hard work and dedication of the whole school family.

“It is always gratifying to see our pupils fulfilling their potential and the performances of this year’s cohort are worthy of great applause. It is a delight to see such individual successes and I congratulate all involved.

“We wish all our pupils every success, in their future pathways.”

ST. COMHGHALL’S COLLEGE

100 per cent pass rate at A Level.

67 per cent of year 14 pupils achieved the top A and A* grades.

15 per cent achieved three A or A* grades.

Principal: Gary Kelly

“Year on year our A-Level results have been very good, but this year has been our best so far where in their results.

“The college has had again a which is a credit to the hard work of students, teachers and parents working in partnership.

“The college introduced straight A-Level chemistry and biology two years ago at post-16. This is the first year we have got results in these two science A-Levels and we were delighted that all pupils who studied A-Level Chemistry achieved an A grade and at A-Level Biology the year 14 pupils achieved a 100 per cent A* to C pass rate with 25 per cent of the Biology pupils achieving top A Grades (or above).

“There has also been a number of students who have achieved top grades at four A-Levels. Students and teachers keep setting the bar higher and higher each year and we are delighted to keep crossing the bar.”

ST. FANCHEA’S COLLEGE

Acting Principal: Maurice Collins

“The staff in St. Fanchea’s College are delighted with the results achieved by our A-Level pupils.

Pupils have achieved their full potential and have secured places in Universities and South West College.

“The results achieved are a reflection of the hard work and commitment of the girls, the dedication and inspiration of staff and the continued support and encouragement of parents. We wish the girls continued success in their future courses.”