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Students across Caerphilly County Borough are today receiving their A-level results.
Across Wales, the number of students receiving the top A* and A grades fell from 34% to 29.9%.
However, it was the first year since the Covid-19 pandemic that exams have been held under pre-pandemic, or ‘normal’ arrangements.
What changes were in place during the pandemic?
In a report outlining this summer’s A-level and AS-level results, Qualifications Wales explained how grades were issued during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said: “In summers 2020 and 2021, when exams did not go ahead, two different alternative approaches to awarding grades were used.
“In 2020, learners received the best of their ‘centre assessment grade’ (CAG) or their ‘standardised grade’. In 2021, learners received ‘centre determined grades’ (CDGs), which were decided by schools and colleges based on a wide range of evidence.
“At A-level, learners could also receive the grade they achieved in their AS (in the same subject) if it was higher than the CAG or the ‘standardised grade’.
“The CAG was a prediction by teachers of what the learner would have achieved had they sat their exams in summer 2020.
“The ‘standardised grade’ had been calculated using data. Due to the very different awarding processes in these years, care should be taken when comparing results in 2020 and 2021 to other years.
“In 2022, summer exams went ahead with some adaptations and with a grading policy where the aim was for outcomes to be broadly midway between those for summer 2021 and summer 2019.
“In 2023, summer exams went ahead, with advance information provided by WJEC and a grading policy where the aim was for outcomes to be broadly midway between those for summer 2022 and 2019.”
The overall pass rate, which includes grades A* to E, is at 97.4% this year, down ever so slightly from last year’s 97.5% – and down from the 99%+ percentages from 2020 and 2021.
AS-level, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate, and vocational qualification learners have also been receiving their results this morning.
School’s record A-level results
St Martin’s school in Caerphilly said all its students obtained the grades required to progress within their chosen career or higher education pathway after the school achieved record results.
In total, 79% of pupils at the school’s sixth form centre achieved at least 2 A-Level passes, with the number of pupils achieving three grades at A* to C rising to 70% of the year group.
25% of pupils achieved grades at A* or A.
Meanwhile, three students at Coleg y Cymoedd have landed spots at Oxford University – with hundreds of other pupils at the college gaining a place at their first choice university.
The college, which covers both Caerphilly County Borough and Rhondda Cynon Taf, has campuses in Ystrad Mynach, Nantgarw, Aberdare and Llywnypia.
It reported an overall pass rate of 99%, with 80% of students achieving A* to C grades this year, surpassing its pre-Covid results performance of 63%.
“What we hoped to see”
Speaking on results day on Thursday August 15, Wales’ education secretary, Lynne Neagle, congratulated students, teachers, and school and college staff “for all their hard work leading up to today”.
Ms Neagle explained: “This year’s exams mark the final step to pre-pandemic arrangements. This year, for the first time since the pandemic, A-level and AS-level exams and assessments took place with the same arrangements as pre-pandemic.
“The results are what we hoped to see and are broadly similar to pre-pandemic outcomes.”
She continued: “Each and every one of you receiving results today should be tremendously proud of your achievements. Today is testament to your resilience and perseverance.”
Congratulations were also due from Caerphilly’s Labour MS Hefin David, who said: “The hard work you have put into your studies is a testament to your commitment and there will no doubt be exciting opportunities coming your way, however your results turn out.”
Conservative MS Natasha Asghar, who represents South Wales East, also wished pupils luck and said: “Fingers crossed you get the results you have worked hard for, but if not there’s no need to worry as there are lots of different options.
“Enjoy a well-earned break over the summer.”
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