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Students to get A-level results NI A-level results improve again
(about 7 hours later)
About 25,000 students in Northern Ireland are due to receive their A-level and AS-level exam results later. Northern Ireland's A-level students have achieved better grades than their counterparts in England and Wales.
Pip Jaffa of the Parents Advice Centre said it was important for families to support those awaiting results as it could be a very stressful time. One third of the results in Northern Ireland were A grades, compared to one quarter elsewhere in the UK.
The number of NI's 12,500 A-level students achieving A grades increased, but by the smallest margin in 10 years.
The exams board, CCEA, said it believed the standard is stabilising, but is now working with other boards on introducing an A star grade.
Lee Anderson, acting chief executive of the board, said: "That is now being looked at by the regulatory authorities.
"It is going to come in tandem with a slightly different exam that will have more challenging and difficult questions so we can really tease out that few percent at the very top end of the spectrum."
Support
Pip Jaffa of the Parents Advice Centre said it was important for families to support those getting results as it could be a very stressful time.
"Teenagers can have different reactions to situations like this," she said."Teenagers can have different reactions to situations like this," she said.
"It can be hard for parents to strike the right balance - being supportive but in the way the young person needs.""It can be hard for parents to strike the right balance - being supportive but in the way the young person needs."
She added: "The best approach is just to try and get through it.She added: "The best approach is just to try and get through it.
"For those who get the results they want it is plain sailing. However, for those who are disappointed it can be extremely difficult to cope with."For those who get the results they want it is plain sailing. However, for those who are disappointed it can be extremely difficult to cope with.
"It can be even more upsetting for parents to see their child upset. The most important thing is not to turn the situation into a catastrophe.""It can be even more upsetting for parents to see their child upset. The most important thing is not to turn the situation into a catastrophe."