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GCSE pupils across Caerphilly County Borough have received their exam results today (Thursday August 22).

The percentage of results between grades A* to C across Wales is at 62.2%, which is marginally lower than last year’s 64.9% figure.

Meanwhile, the percentage of results marked at A* and A is down from 21.7% last year to 19.2% this year. However, this year’s figure is still higher than pre-Covid figures.

Overall, 96.6% of awarded grades were between A* and G.

In both 2020 and 2021, grades were awarded based on teacher predictions as the pandemic disrupted the education system. However, summer exams came back in 2022.

Wales’ education minister, Lynne Neagle, congratulated students on their results and said: “You will have no doubt been impacted by the pandemic but receiving your results today is a big milestone. You should all be very proud of the hard work, dedication, and resilience you have shown.

“This year is our final step back towards pre-pandemic exam arrangements and today’s results are where we expected them to be with outcomes similar to 2019.”

Ms Neagle continued: “I hope you got the grades you wanted but remember there are many different choices for your next step into learning or employment. Get in touch with Careers Wales, your school or local college for support.”

She also thanked teachers and education workers “who have worked incredibly hard to support our learners to succeed”.

Islwyn High School, in Oakdale, said it received record grades this year, with almost 70% of pupils received at least five grades between A* and C.

The percentage of pupils at Islwyn High achieving five grades at A* and A stood at 25%, with many of these pupils achieving more than ten A* and A grades. 

The school also said 97% of its pupils achieved at least five passes at GCSE. 

Headteacher Jason Hicks said: “I am delighted by the success of our pupils at GCSE and the results are a credit to all the hard work of staff and students alike. 

“These are the best GCSE results ever at Islwyn High School and we are immensely proud of the young people who have achieved them. This could not have been achieved without genuine partnerships between school and the families in the community we serve.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Girls’ School, in Ystrad Mynach, has reported that just over a quarter of its pupils have achieved five or more grades at A* or A this year.

Newbridge School meanwhile saw 507 A* or A grades, or BTEC equivalents, amongst its 199 GCSE pupils.

GCSE results day came exactly a week after pupils received A-level and AS-level results.