More than 32,000 students in Northern Ireland received GCSE results on Thursday 20 August 2026, with 83.6% achieving at least grade C/4 and 31.7% attaining grade A/7 or above. These figures are little changed from 2025, when 83.5% achieved C/4 or above and 31.6% achieved A/7 or above.

Education Minister Paul Givan, visiting Dromore High School, congratulated students and thanked teachers and school leaders. He said the results reflected hard work and resilience, and he encouraged anyone unsure about next steps to seek advice and consider their options.

The majority of GCSEs taken in Northern Ireland are CCEA qualifications, though the open qualifications market also allows schools to offer awards from AQA, OCR, Pearson and Eduqas. CCEA is operating a results helpline on 028 9026 1260 and helpline@ccea.org.uk until Wednesday 26 August, opening at 9.00am on results day and running from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday thereafter.

Among individual schools, Lurgan College reported that 99.2% of pupils achieved at least seven A-C grades including English and mathematics. Across all grades, 46% were A or A and 77% were A* to B.

Thirty-seven pupils at Lurgan College achieved at least eight A or A grades. Fourteen pupils gained 11 straight A/A grades, eight gained 10, five gained nine, and seven gained eight.

Headmaster Kyle McCallan said the school was proud of the pupils, who worked hard over two years. He credited teaching and non-teaching staff and said the results reflected the strength of the Dickson Plan, with contributions from Lurgan Junior High School and local feeder primary schools. He noted that many pupils overcame significant obstacles.

St John the Baptist's College in Portadown reported that 100% of pupils achieved at least five A*-C grades, 100% achieved at least seven, 98% achieved at least eight, and 97% achieved at least nine. Principal N Murray said the results reflected pupil determination and staff dedication, and she acknowledged the support of families and feeder primary schools.

St Fanchea's College in Enniskillen reported that 83% of all grades were A* to C.