A-Level Success

Students at St. Mary’s Grammar School celebrated outstanding results on Thursday, as the cohort defied the national trend of grade levels returning to pre-Covid levels.  In a year where it has been reported that there has been a decline in top grades achieved by young people, over half of the qualifications taken in St. Mary’s resulted in only A*/A grades.  92% of all children achieved 3 A*-C grades ahead of taking their next steps into a multitude of courses and careers in medicine, law, actuarial science, engineering, software development and a host of others.

Principal of the school, Mr Paul McClean, paid tribute to the very hard work of pupils and staff in ensuring the young people reached their full potential in their examinations.

“The academic excellence maintained by St. Mary’s year on year is the outworking of the industrious endeavours of students, the care and guidance of committed teachers and teaching support staff, and the active engagement of parents and carers in the learning journey.  This winning formula ensures that our young people reach their potential and secure their place in further and higher education courses and apprenticeship programmes.

While there is undoubtedly a focus on excellent examination outcomes, Sixth Form in St. Mary’s provides students with much more than a grade portfolio.  Leadership development and opportunity, international travel, sporting challenge, and community participation, are just some features which contribute to the holistic formation of students and the very positive experience that students enjoy throughout the two years.

On our pupils’ behalf, I would like to pay a tribute to our fantastic teaching and support staff, who go beyond the call of duty over the course of each academic year, to provide an environment which is second to none.  Our pupils are highly successful on paper, but also on the stage, on the sports field, and through working closely with our local community to share their gifts and talents with others.    

We are rightly proud of the fantastic examination outcomes from these young people; however, our main goal is to ensure that wherever our young people go, they leave St. Mary’s with a caring, committed, values-driven attitude to life.  These pupils have exemplified that throughout their time here; I congratulate them, wish them every success in the future, and I look forward to seeing them again soon.”