Across Northern Ireland there were anxious faces as pupils walked into schools, some for the final time as seven years of study came to an end.
For many of the pupils at Slemish College and Dunclug College the hushed fear of results day changed into squeals of delights as envelopes were opened and futures laid out before them.
Grace Hamilton and Hannah Leetch were overjoyed with their results at Slemish, and both will now take different paths over the next few years.
Grace Hamilton and Hannah Leetch celebrate their A Level success at Slemish College in Ballymena.
While Hannah is now looking forward to relaxing for a few weeks before heading to Queen’s University where she will follow the science route with a degree in Chemistry, it’s going to be a gap year for Grace, who will spend some time following her passion for Christian outreach and creative media before continuing with her education.
“I was a bit nervous initially,” said Grace. “But I’ve got what I needed and more to carry on with social media, film and editing. I want to do film production at Ulster University.
She’ll take a BTec in Uniform Protective Services and qualifications in Business Studies, Media Studies and English with her.
“I’m just soaking it all in,” she said.
“My parents would have been happy for me whatever, but I think they’re even happier now. I’ll miss the teachers, I’ll miss the friends I’ve made over seven years, but I’m ready to move on and excited for the possibilities. I’ll be grand.”
Her friend Hannah is off to Queen’s, having known for some time she wanted to follow the science route.
“I got what I needed and more “ she smiled. “I’ll be doing a chemistry degree and that’ll be exciting. It’s what I’m good at. If I was doing an English A-level I’d have been hopeless!
“I knew I’d got in, I’d checked UCAS first. But driving down here was nerve-wrecking and I’m a mess at the thought of leaving school!” she said.
For Kian Smyth and Ben O’Neill, things could not have worked out better.
Luca Lin, Jack Crawford, Kian Smyth and Ben O’Neill were delighted with their A Level results at Slemish College.
Ben has had his eyes on a pharmacy degree at Ulster University. An ABB result in maths, chemistry and biology means he’s got his wish.
“I was wee bit nervous,” he admitted. “Now my mum’s buzzing. She was even more nervous than me.
“It is a big step leaving school,” he added. “It’s weird I might not be back here, but I’ve got a plan to work with and I’m delighted.”
For Kian, there’s a decision to be made. He has an offer of a university place, but he’s going to take a few days and think about his future.
“It’s nice to have the options now,” he said. “I got ABC grades and I’m very happy, but I’m going to re-evaluate. I have my place at university, but I’ll see what happens next.
“Honestly, I opened the envelope and my jaw dropped. I thought that was just a phrase people used, but it happened.”
Daniel Hanna celebrates his A Level results with principal at Dunclug College Ballymena, Mr Niall Oliver.
Around 60 pupils at nearby Dunclug College were also saying their farewells to school life, some heading off to college or university and some now ready to step into the working life.
For Grace Scott, it’s going to be a waiting game.
“I’ve done well and I’m happy with my grades, but I’m just short of getting into Strammillis. I want to do post primary teaching and I’ll be getting a remark, so there’s still a few weeks of waiting for me. I have options, but teaching is what I want to try to do.”
Daniel Hanna was taking everything in his stride.
“I’ll be going Ulster University to study history of education in Coleraine,” he said.
“But there are mixed emotions. I’m actually a bit sad at leaving school but I’m ready for what the future holds.
Noah Rea is another seeking a future in education, and is heading to Stranmillis College after top grades in Maths, Health and Life Science and ICT.
“I’ll miss school, but I had a good, relaxing summer. I was a wee bit nervous this morning though,” he said.
Anna Francey was beaming with pride having achieved three A grades.
Anna Francey, Emma Houston, Leah Scott, Anna Service and Naomi Turtle were among those receiving their A Level results at Dunclug College in Ballymena.
“I didn’t think I would get this far, she said, having already applied for halls at Stranmillis where she’s ready to start training to be a primary school teacher.
“I can relax now, and enjoy the next few weeks.”
Emma Houston is going to Edinburgh where she will study business management with marketing and the reality of leaving home is just starting to sink in.
“I’m a bit nervous about a new place, but I’ll sort out somewhere to stay. That’s my plan for the next few weeks now.”
For Leah Scott it’s a career in health and social care on the agenda.
“It’s what I want to do, earn some money, contribute to society. I am sad school is over but I’ve got exactly what I wanted.”
At Belfast High School Adam Patterson (18) received four A*s in his A-levels (maths, chemistry, biology and history) and found out on Thursday that he has been accepted into Queen’s University Belfast to study medicine.
“Mum was doing little dances,” he laughed.
His friend Ruairidh Davis (18) will also be joining him at Queen’s.
“I was really happy with my results,” said Ruairidh.
Ruairidh Davis (18) and Adam Patterson (18). Belfast High School. 15/08/2024
“I didn’t exactly get the offer I wanted for Queen’s, but I did get into Queen’s anyway, to study a degree in geography, so I’m pretty happy. I got a BBC in maths, biology and geography.
“I’m going to see Two Door Cinema Club in concert tonight to celebrate as well.”
AS-level pupil Lily Behzadi (17) is relieved to have the stress of this year’s exams and results over and she has been pleasantly surprised by her grades.
“I was actually devastated coming out of my English exam. I had a really bad headache during it, so I had to get special consideration and everything. I thought: ‘Oh, my God, this has gone terribly.’ But it apparently didn’t: I got a B.”
She has her sight on law and history at university. “I’m not sure exactly what university to go to yet. I’m going to look at a few in September.”
Lily’s friend Leah Horan (17) is hoping to study medicine at Queen’s, but if not, she will instead aim to attend university in England to pursue her dreams of being a doctor.