PUPILS across Carmarthenshire were praised for their hard work as they collected their GCSE results today (Aug 23).
Nationally, there was a slight drop in the number of pupils attaining A*-C grades, but an increased proportion of A* and As.
Current provisional data demonstrates achievement at A* – G grades for Carmarthenshire at 95.9% compared with the Wales average of 96.4%.
An impressive 72.1% of entries were graded A* to C in Carmarthenshire, remaining well above the Wales average of 61.6%.
Performance at the highest end of awarded grades has witnessed an encouraging 18.1% of pupils achieving grades A* to A compared to 18.5% across Wales.
Further success has also been gained in the National Welsh Baccalaureate with 62.9% of pupils achieving this award, compared with 57.6% achieving nationally.
Gareth Morgans, Director for Education and Children’s Services said: “Our GCSE results highlight how dedicated our school staff are in ensuring that all of our pupils access a stimulating and rewarding range of educational experiences. During this time of ongoing national educational reform our results represent the positive impact of working together in effective partnership across Carmarthenshire, the ERW region and nationally, to ensure the highest levels of achievement and progress for all. I offer my warmest congratulations and thanks to all pupils, their families and school staff for their ongoing commitment and support towards securing today’s success.”
Cllr Glynog Davies, Executive Board member for Education and Children’s Services, added his congratulations to the pupils.
“Once again our Carmarthenshire pupils continue to achieve great success in their GCSE examinations,” he said.
“I am wholly aware that this follows as a result of their considerable individual efforts. Most encouragingly, this now provides them a firm foundation as they move on to their future learning and career opportunities. I would like to sincerely thank all parents and staff for their support in securing such pleasing achievements.”
In Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, more pupils than ever left with five or more qualifications at grades A*-G, and one in six got five or more A*-A grades.
Top pupils included Bethan Carvell (9A*2A 2B) Steffan Rees-Millns (8A* 3A 2B) and Melissa Lyon (7A* 5A 1B 1C)
A spokesperson for the school said: “All these results are a testament to the hard work of pupils and staff. We congratulate everyone on their achievements and wish every pupil all the best as they move on to the next chapter in their lives, armed with the knowledge and skills to further develop and succeed.”
Pupils at Carmarthen’s Queen Elizabeth High School were also praised for their performances. Pete Spencer, Headteacher, said: “I offer congratulation to all our pupils on their excellent results. These are an ambitious group of young people who have set their targets high and achieved them. Each individual should be proud of their achievements, I and the whole school community certainly are. The hard work and determination of the pupils and staff has clearly paid off and these excellent results are thoroughly deserved.
“I am delighted that the real progress made by the school as a whole last year has been maintained. Again the number of pupils achieving the highest grades is exceptional.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our pupils in what promises to be a very vibrant sixth form. On behalf of the whole school, I would like to wish every pupil the very best in the next exciting phase of their education career. I hope everyone enjoys the feeling of success of today.”
Across Wales there was a drop in pass rates at A*-C grades – 61.6% compared to 62.8% last year. However, the proportion of A* and A grades – 18.5% – was higher.
Due to the scale and complexity of changes in the qualifications this year, regulators warned against drawing direct comparisons to past results.
“We can still follow what is happening with individual subjects, but the Welsh Government’s chief statistician says it will be the “summer of 2021 at the earliest” before it is safe to make broad comparisons over time,” Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales Philip Blaker explained.
GCSEs are being reformed and 15 updated subjects were sat this summer for the first time following on from the introduction of six reformed GCSEs last year.
Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said: “I want to congratulate pupils who are receiving their results today and to thank the teachers who worked so tirelessly to deliver these new qualifications.
“Today marks a culture change for Science in Wales. Entries are up by 50%, with more pupils gaining A*-C and more achieving the very top grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This shows the importance that both we and schools attach to this subject and I am confident that together we will continue to go from strength to strength, as we saw with last week’s A Level results.”
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