Was anyone else sickened to see Caitriona Ruane smiling like a Cheshire cat when the exam results were released yesterday, revealing that Northern Irish pupils were once again top of the class when it comes to getting A grades at A-level? (I'm not sure if she was congratulating the students or herself!) This is only the woman is doing her damnedest to single-handedly end that trend after all!

35.4% of grades awarded to Ulster's students were As, compared to the UK-wide figure of 25.9%. In terms of A-E passes, Northern Ireland's figure was 98.2% compared to the national rate of 97.2%.

Follow up:

We all know this won't prevent the worst minister ever from taking a sledgehammer to the system that produced these results, though.

CCEA's Director of Qualifications, Anne Marie Duffy, said that Northern Irish students also "prefer, and perform well in mathematics, sciences and languages": areas where, despite an upturn this year, there is apparently a national shortfall.

Not sure what to make of the 9.4% drop (nationally) in Computing entrants (does that 5,156 not include ICT then? Adds: and maybe it's not such a bad thing if the talk of a drop in demand is true). Slightly more encouraging to see a drop "performing and expressive arts" and "general studies" drop off a bit. Still 55,604 entrants for general studies though? What a waste!