DESPITE facing uncertain futures Fermanagh non-grammar schools are among the top performers in the North.
In figures which rank GCSE results four schools from Fermanagh are in the top 50, with St Comhghall’s College Lisnaskea number two in the rankings and St Eugene’s College Roslea at number seven.
Also featuring in the performance tables are St Mary’s Irvinestown (37) and St Aidan’s Derrylin. No controlled (mainly Protestant) non-grammar school in Fermanagh featured in the top 50. St Comhghall’s principal Gary Kelly was ‘absolutely delighted the school was ranked second, with 80% of pupils achieving grades A* to C in five subjects including English and Maths and 92% of pupils achieving these grades in any five subjects.
“We have obviously worked very hard and have targeted performances in English and Maths.”
Mr Kelly explained that pupils on the borderline D/C grades in years 11 and 12 attended additional classes after school four days a week and this hard work ultimately paid off.
Mr Kelly attributed the success at the school as a combination of the hard work and commitment of parents, staff and pupils and stated the importance of GCSEs in light of its status in Fermanagh as the school with the highest number of pupils on free school meals (43%). The school which has grown from 260 pupils in 2006 and 474 in 2015 is in a positive place, maintained Mr Kelly, reinforced by these good results.
“There is a great community here in south-east Fermanagh who value education very highly as the key. It is the same with English and Maths here. Education is the key to a better future.
Dr Martin Knox of St Eugene’s was equally pleased with his pupil’s efforts. Seventh in the table 77.8% of pupils achieved 5 GCSES at A*-C including English and Maths while 92.6% achieved this in any other five.
“We’re delighted to be there. It is the result of sustained effort and improvement over the years. All in all it is a very pleasing situation to be in and we hope to be working towards the same for this year.”
St Mary’s Irvinestown featured at number 37 in the figures published in the Irish News. 50% of achieved 5 GCSES at A*-C including English and Maths pupils while 93.3% achieved this in any other five. Commenting on the figures acting principal at St Mary’s Anne Flanagan said:
“We’re really pleased with the results again this years. It shows the continuing commitment and hard work of pupils, staff and parents.”
St Aidan’s, Derrylin also excelled in the figures placing 47th. 48% of pupils achieved 5 GCSES at A*-C including English and Maths, while 88% achieved this in any other five.
Acting principal Pat McTeggart commented: “As a school we are very proud of our achievements this year. These excellent results are down to the hard work of the pupils, teachers and parents who in partnership have ensured that St Aidan’s continues to be a high achieving school. This school has always catered for the needs of all our pupils and this success augers well for the future of the school.”
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