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Students across Caerphilly County Borough are receiving their A-level results today (Thursday August 14).
Across Wales, the number of students achieving the top A* grades has risen to 10.5% – up from 10.1% in 2024.
However, the combined number of A* and A grades received has dropped ever so slightly to 29.5% – down from 29.9% in 2024.
The overall pass rate across Wales, which includes grades A* to E, is at 97.5% this year, a small rise from last year’s 97.4%.
It is just the second year since the Covid-19 pandemic that exams have been held under pre-pandemic, or ‘normal’ arrangements.
What changes were in place during and after the pandemic?
In a report outlining last 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.”
AS-level, Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate, and vocational qualification learners have also been receiving their results this morning.
‘Immensely proud’
Coleg y Cymoedd recorded a 99.7% pass rate across its A-level and vocational qualifications.
The college, which covers Caerphilly County Borough and Rhondda Cynon Taf, saw a 5.5% increase in the number of A* and A grades at its Nantgarw campus this year – with 23 subjects achieving a 100% pass rate.
Coleg y Cymoedd principal, Jonathan Morgan, said: “We are immensely proud of our learners and their achievements this year. These results reflect not only their hard work and resilience but also the unwavering support of our dedicated tutors and support teams.
“Whether learners are progressing to university, higher-level apprenticeships, or straight into employment, we know they leave us with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in their chosen fields.”
Elsewhere, St Martin’s School in Caerphilly has been celebrating this morning, with the number of A-level pupils there achieving A* or A grades rising to 23% this year.
Meanwhile, the school recorded a 100% pass rate in 12 out of its 19 subjects – while 96% of students there achieved at least two A-level passes.
Over at Coleg Gwent, 98.2% of students achieved A* to E grades, while 87% of BTEC students achieved a pass grade or higher across 56 different vocational subject areas.
‘Remarkable determination’
Lynne Neagle said today marks a “significant milestone” for pupils across Wales, and offered her “heartfelt congratulations to every student, alongside our dedicated teachers and education staff, whose commitment and effort have brought us to this moment”.
Wales’ education secretary continued: “Every learner opening their results today has earned the right to feel immense pride in what they’ve accomplished, and these achievements demonstrate remarkable determination.
“As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you ‘pob lwc’.
“For those seeking guidance on their next steps, support remains available through your school or college and the Young Person’s Guarantee, which provides a range of options.”
Ms Neagle added: “I will continue to work on raising educational standards and ensure every young person has the support they need to achieve their goals.”
Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s education spokesperson, echoed Ms Neagle’s congratulations and said: “The success seen across Wales is a testament to the hard work of students and their teachers.”
‘Bitter disappointment’
However, Conservative Natasha Asghar, the shadow education secretary, attacked the Welsh Government over the decrease in the percentage of pupils achieving A* and A grades.
While that percentage dropped in Wales, figures were on the up in both England and Northern Ireland.
“Teachers, support staff, pupils and parents have all worked incredibly hard, but it’s clear that the Welsh Labour Government is holding Wales back,” said Ms Asghar.
“It is a bitter disappointment for Wales that, under Labour, results here have fallen while elsewhere in the UK, the numbers achieving top A-level grades have increased.”
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