On Thursday 15th August, 101 boys from the Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School in Newry received their A Level results. These were among the best results the school has produced. The following day tables of A Level statistics were shown in the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph focusing on the top 500 schools in the United Kingdom.

These revealed that yet again the Abbey Grammar is the top boys Grammar School in Northern Ireland.

With 63% of the total grades achieved being an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade and 97.1 UCAS points per entry. A delighted headmaster, Mr. Dermot McGovern said: “These excellent results reflected all that is best in our grammar school system. The pupils deserved great praise and our congratulations. I am sure their parents are equally delighted. I must also add special thanks to all the staff of the school for all their dedication and professionalism”

Mr. McGovern believes that a number of factors have combined to help with this years success. The unique relationship between the boys and their teachers is a significant feature of the Abbey, as is the support shown by parents towards the school - an example being parents volunteering to supervise night study in the school leading up to the A Level exams, not only during the week, but Sunday mornings as well.