Commenting as students in Northern Ireland the results of A levels and vocational qualifications today, Dr Graham Gault, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT NI, said: “Congratulations to all students receiving their results today.

"These grades are the result of a huge amount of hard work by both students and school and college staff and enable young people to move on to the next stage on their path, whether that is further study, an apprenticeship, training, or employment.

“While A level grades are slightly higher in Northern Ireland this year, they are a genuine reflection of the hard work and attainment of young people and their teachers. We have a robust and regulated system of exams and the checks and balances within the system mean we can be confident that the grades awarded are fully deserved.

“It’s important to remember that the current A Level specifications were newly rolled out shortly before Covid, which was of course a massive interruption to their ‘settling in’. This is the third year post-pandemic that these A Level exams have been sat, and it is natural that teachers will have got better at understanding the requirements and mark schemes and at preparing students to sit these specific exams.”