Video: Newtownabbey Community High pupils celebrate GCSE success

Just days before many of its pupils are due to start at the new Abbey Community College, staff and Year 12 students gathered at the school on Thursday morning (August 20) to celebrate a record-breaking set of GCSE grades.

“The percentage of pupils achieving five or more A* - C grades rose to an all-time high of 70 per cent, with the percentage gaining five or more including English and Mathematics increasing to an impressive 30 per cent,” Mr Lewis said.

“The percentage achieving five or more A* - E grades rose to 86 per cent, and the percentage gaining five or more A* - G moved up to a record 100 per cent.

“When compared with similar schools, these results show Newtownabbey to be consistently one of the top performing schools.”

Mr Lewis puts the school’s exam success down to its “strategic partnership approach” involving hard-working pupils and teachers, alongside the support of parents and a range of professionals who have worked closely with the school in recent years.

With Newtownabbey Community High having merged with Monkstown Community School to form the Monkstown-based Abbey Community College, Thursday’s exam results day marked the end of an era in Rathcoole.

“The school is delighted that so many of its Year 12 pupils, as a result of these excellent achievements, are now well equipped to continue their education through either A Level or vocational courses.

“On behalf of myself, the staff and our board of governors we wish each and every one of them success for the future,” Mr Lewis added.

• See more GCSE results coverage in next week’s Times (on sale August 26)