School pupils learned today their remaining GCSE grades when results from English exam boards where revealed. Damian McParland from Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School in Newry is among those who have scored the most top marks, receiving 12 A*s.

Having already achieved two top grades in Irish and Maths last year, Damian scored a further 10 in subjects including Spanish, French, Physics, History and Chemistry.

"I'm ecstatic and relieved. I did not really know how well I had done and I worry about these things. I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened the envelope", he said

School principal Dermot McGovern praised the performance of all his pupils in their exams. "The A-level results were very strong, 55% of all grades being As. That runs against the tradition for an all-boys school," he said. "The GCSE results also reflect that. A large number of students have achieved the top grade A*. Those who achieved an A* are in the top 3 or 4 per cent of pupils so for Damian to achieved 12 A* grades shows he is a candidate of the highest academic ability."