NI boys outperform girls at A* for first time since grade introduced
Boys have outperformed girls at the 最高の，を越す A-level grade for the first time since it was introduced in Northern Ireland.
They overtook girls by 0.4% at A*, which was first awarded in 2010.
The 業績／成果 gap between the genders also 狭くするd at the A*-A 境界, and it follows 一致した 成果／努力s to 演説（する）／住所 the 不平等 by education 当局.
Robert Robinson, the 長，率いる of Campbell College, an all-boys grammar school in east Belfast, said: “The nature of the exams has been tweaked わずかに, a 削減 in 依存 on coursework 控訴s boys better.
“The exams themselves have been given more of an 辛勝する／優位, challenging boys on the day and bringing out the 競争の激しい nature that is inherent in them.
“In 新規加入, the 増加するd 多様制 in 支配する choice at sixth form 利益s boys 申し込む／申し出ing a broader, more versatile 範囲 of pathways for them to choose from.”
Campbell College pupils opened their A-Level results. Pictured is Cel 名簿（に載せる）／表（にあげる）, Gary 追跡（する） who is 長，率いるing to the 王室の Birmingham Conservatoire for Music to 熟考する／考慮する with Julian Lloyd Webber. Michael Cooper/PA Wire
There was a small 増加する in those awarded the 最高の，を越す grade, with just under a 10th 収入 an A*.
Around 30,000?pupils received their A-level and AS results on Thursday morning.
の中で them were Northern Ireland’s oldest 円熟した student, grandfather Ken Humes, 老年の 70, who spent his career working in accounts and took a degree in maths.
He said:?“I am pleased and relieved that I have done it. I 始める，決める myself up to be knocked 負かす／撃墜する.”
The sister-in-法律 of a former 現体制支持者／忠臣 leader 達成するd an A in Irish language.
Linda Ervine said she did not speak a word of Irish seven years ago, and was delighted with her result.
She tweeted: “Over the moon! Got an A in my A-Level Irish. 7 years ago I hadn’t a 焦点の and struggled with Cad e 損なう ata tu.”
The number of A-level 入ること／参加（者）s 拒絶する／低下するd this year by 5.8%, in line with demographics.
Maths was the most popular 支配する, with one in 10 熟考する／考慮するing it, closely followed by biology, 宗教的な 熟考する／考慮するs, English literature and history.
More than a third of 入ること／参加（者）s 伴う／関わるd science, 科学（工学）技術, 工学 and maths (茎・取り除く) 支配するs. There was a small 増加する in the 全体にわたる 割合 of 茎・取り除く 入ること／参加（者）s, up to 40.1% this y ear.
The 割合 taking languages 減少（する）d わずかに, おもに 予定 to a 落ちる in Spanish 入ること／参加（者）s. Music and 成し遂げるing arts saw an 増加する.
A new life and health sciences 資格 証明するd popular, 特に with girls, and 計算するing 支配するs saw a rise.
Justin Edwards, 長，指導者 (n)役員／(a)執行力のある of the 会議 for the Curriculum, Examinations and 査定／評価 (CCEA) in Northern Ireland, said: “Once again, Northern Ireland’s students have 成し遂げるd 井戸／弁護士席, with a 安定した and strong 業績／成果 across all grades.
“The results are also 承認 of the dedication and support 供給するd by teachers and schools.”
