Students across Caerphilly County Borough celebrated receiving their A-level results yesterday, Thursday August 17, with an increase in overall pass rates.
The overall provisional pass rate for students in the borough for WJEC A-levels (A* to E) was 97.3%, a slight improvement on on 2016. The provisional results for WJEC A* to A grades was 15% – a decrease on last year – while 67% of grades were at C or above.
Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus students returned excellent results, with an overall pass rate of 99.04%. The pass rate for grades A*-C was 77.48%, an increase of 3.35% from 2016, while thirty subjects at the campus had a 100% pass rate.
Thomas Summers, from Cwmfelinfach, secured an impressive five A-levels.
The 20-year-old has a place at Lancaster University after gaining an A* in Welsh, three A grades in English Language and Literature, French and Spanish, and a B in Maths.
He said: “I’m shocked and elated. I really wasn’t expecting that, I’m speechless. I’d eventually love to use my language skills to be an interpreter.”
Meanwhile Blackwood’s Katie Higgs marked her 18th birthday with a trio of A grades. Achieving the top grades in English Literature, Geography and Law have given her even more reason to celebrate on her milestone birthday, as she heads to London in September to study Law at Kings College London.
Katie said: “After school I chose to do A Levels as I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to go into so I wanted to get qualifications that would allow me broader options afterwards. So I was thrilled when I found law so interesting and engaging. My lecturers have been incredible – always there when you need them and always happy to help.”
Her parents were proud as punch when they came with Katie to collect her results and were looking forward to celebrating with her: “We’re absolutely over the moon with Katie’s results and we’re so pleased she got the results she deserves as she’s worked really hard”, her father Stephen added: “We’re going to miss her when she goes to uni but we’re focused on the bright future she has ahead of her.”
Language lover Nicole Allen, also from Blackwood, achieved A* grades in Spanish and Welsh, as well as As in French and Maths, and will study Spanish and Welsh at Swansea University.
She said: “I’d love to be a translator eventually as I really love languages. It feels so good to have got the grades.”
Coleg Gwent Principal, Guy Lacey, added: “We are extremely pleased with the overall pass rate of 99%, which is a huge achievement and reflects the hard work and dedication of both students and staff.
“Coleg Gwent is one of Wales’ top performing colleges and these results are a testament to the standard of education students can expect when they study with us.
“We send heartfelt congratulations to all of our A Level students and wish them the very best of luck for the future.”
Meanwhile, there was a festival spirit at Coleg y Cymoedd as learners and teachers celebrated a year of impressive results.
The college attained a 98% pass rate at A Level, with a 5% rise in A* and A grades. Many of the college’s 23 A Level subject areas achieved a 100% pass rate, including English, Law, History, Geography, Photography, Drama, DT, French, Music, Media, Film and Business Studies.
The day’s outstanding achievements include three Valleys learners from Caerphilly, who all secured a highly impressive set of A* and A grades across the board including Aoife Elwood, who is set to head to Oxford University.
Aoife, 18, will study Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall College after achieving AAA grades in Biology, English and History.
Oliana Finlayson, 20, will be heading to Birmingham University in September to study Teaching after achieving A*, A, A, A grades in Sociology, Psychology, Religious Studies and Welsh Baccealoreate.
Oliana said: “It feels so strange, I really didn’t think this would happen. I’d never been a top student in school, but came back to college as an older student because I felt that I now had the drive. I could never have done this in sixth form initially.
“I’m excited for university and am hoping to become a teacher, but that won’t be the end of education for me as I’d like to one day do a PHD and get a doctoriate, even if I’m old and wrinkly.”
Mollie Eatwell, also from Caerphilly, topped off the college’s success by achieving highly impressive grades of A*, A, A in Psychology, Sociology and Religious Studies. Mollie will be studying Sociology with Criminology at Exeter University
Judith Evans, Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, added: “The fantastic results that we have seen today are testament to the hard work and commitment of staff and students alike over the past two-years.
“It is a proud day for the college as well and the families of these young people, and we wish them the very best for the future as they move on to university, further education or training, or take their first steps on the career ladder.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Achievement, Cllr Philippa Marsden, was keen to recognise the achievements of the students and their teachers across the borough.
She said: “Congratulations must go to all our students who have worked so hard to achieve these results, together with the commitment and professional support of their teachers for the work they put in to help the students achieve to their full potential.
“I’m so pleased that so many of our young people have secured the grades they need for them to take their next step in their careers. I am very proud of our young people and wish them every success in their future endeavours, whether it’s entering university, apprenticeships or employment.”
Elewhere, Wales saw the highest number of A Level students attain A* to C grades since 2009.
Nationally, 75.3% gained A* to C, with 25% achieving A* to A.
In Maths, Wales outperformed England at A* to C, with results also increasing in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geography.
The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams, said: “I want to congratulate everyone receiving their results and thank pupils, teachers and staff for all their hard work. These set of results show an encouraging increase in the number achieving the top grades, with improvement in results across maths, biology,chemistry and physics.
“We have also seen the results go up across a range of subjects and I want us to continue to build on this. I am committed to making sure our education system provides pupils with the skills and knowledge they need for the modern world.
“Our ongoing reform of A-levels is an important part in our national mission to raise standards and extend opportunities for all our young people.”
