Over 61,5000 students across the country will be receiving their Junior Certificate Results today which is an increase of 2.3% on last year.

Four students received top marks of 12 As while 54 received 11 As. 240 students got 10As which represents a drop of 43% on last year. With the exception of Mathematics, which saw an increase of 2.4 per cent in the number of As awarded at higher level to 14.1 per cent, most other subjects recorded a fall in the number of top marks awarded.

This year is the first of results with the new English curriculum and marking system. Students in English will receive grades Distinction, Higher Merit and Merit as opposed to the A, B, C grades awarded in other subjects. The boundaries between grades in English have also changed, so it is not possible to make direct comparisons within tighter bands of last year but results show that at both levels, the proportion achieving 55pc,  or more, in the subject was 81-83pc, compared with about 76-77pc last year . The dual presentation of marks will continue until 2021 when the Junior Certificate is phased out and replaced entirely with the new Junior Cycle.

This year also sees the replacement of the Junior Cert with the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA), which will record the results of the June exams as well as other student achievements, such as sporting or debating activities,  recorded in school. However some students may have blank spaces in those boxes  because of the opposition to the junior cycle changes by the ASTI resulting in its members refusing to co-operate with such assessments.

As students head out this evening to celebrate Junior Certificate results, parents are being reminded to talk to their children about about appropriate celebrations. The HSE, says that alcoholshouldn’t be involved in any celebrations - “Alcohol should play no part in Junior Certificate celebrations, and parents can support young people to enjoy their success by organising a celebration at home or elsewhere, or to go to age-appropriate events where alcohol will not be an option.”

For information on Junior Cert results and tips for parents on dealing with the 'disappointed student' or on planning appropriate celebrations, check out our Junior Certificate Results Section.

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