THE EDUCATION SECRETARY Kirsty Williams has offered her congratulations to students across Wales celebrating their GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate results.
The record levels of A*-C, a high point achieved in the previous two years, has been maintained and there has been an increase in those achieving the top grades.
Kirsty Williams said: “I want to congratulate the thousands of young people receiving their results. This year’s GCSEs show another strong performance with two thirds of our learners achieving at least A* -C and an increase in the top grades. This is due to the hard work of our pupils and their teachers.
“The performance of our individual science subjects remains high when compared with the UK results and entry levels have also increased. Our Welsh Baccalaureate performance is also excellent with more than 14,000 pupils now having extra skills and experiences that give them an edge in an increasingly competitive world.
“Teachers and pupils can be proud that Wales has maintained our record pass rate. I will continue to focus on raising standards and ambitions for excellence across all our schools.”
GCSEs in Wales are changing; six GCSE subjects with first teaching already started in September 2015 have been reformed – English Language, Welsh Language, English Literature, Welsh Literature, Mathematics Numeracy and Mathematics. The November 2016 and summer 2017 exams will reflect these new qualifications.
Pupils in Carmarthenshire remain firmly at the top of the class with their GCSE results.
Provisional figures show that 88.9% of pupils achieved grades A* to C in comparison with the Welsh average of 66.6%.
The key indicator figure for pupils achieving the Level 2 inclusive measure (which includes a GCSE grade A*-C in English or Welsh first language and mathematics) has also improved significantly.
The 2016 result of 65.9% is a resounding success and pushes Carmarthenshire through the coveted 65% barrier.
Education and Children’s Services executive board member Cllr Gareth Jones said the result clearly evidenced the continued year-on-year improvement and upward trend across Carmarthenshire schools.
“Once again, they have achieved excellent results across all their examinations,” Cllr Jones said.
“Similar to last week’s A and AS level results, these outcomes demonstrate a very positive and encouraging picture for our authority.
“We continue to build most successfully on the achievements of previous years and we pay full tribute to the pupils’ efforts and success.
“The council also acknowledges the dedication, commitment and support provided to them by their schools, teachers, teaching support staff, and of course their parents. Today is a very proud and well deserved day for them all.
“This continued high standard of achievement reflects the total commitment of our authority to the young people of Carmarthenshire by affording them every opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
Director for Education and Children’s Services Mr Rob Sully added his congratulations to the pupils: “We are delighted and encouraged by these results,” Mr Sully said.
“They represent the considerable effort and achievement of our young people and school staff, all of whom deserve our warmest congratulations.
“They also clearly demonstrate how hard we have worked with schools and the Regional Improvement Service, in helping learners within Carmarthenshire to reach their full potential.”
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