Responding to this morning's exam results for GCSEs and vocational subjects, Graham Gault, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT in Northern Ireland, said:

“We warmly congratulate students as they receive their results across a wide range of qualifications. Today's results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of students and the school and college staff who have supported them.

"Students receiving their results today should feel especially proud of what they have achieved - they navigated the start of secondary school during the pandemic, some have been taught in unfit school buildings, and support from the previous government left much to be desired.

“It is high time for change and significant improvements to the experience of students in key stage 4.  That includes broadening the curriculum and the choices students have and reducing the number of exams they sit at the end of Year 11.”