Students across Caerphilly County Borough have been receiving their A-level results today (Thursday, August 15).
In Wales, provisional figures show record numbers of A* and A grades were achieved, increasing from 26.3% in 2018 to 27%.
Compared with the English regions and Northern Ireland, Wales ranks top for number of A* grades achieved – a total of 9.1%.
Among the students’ successes, Aimee-Leigh Jones achieved 4 A* grades, Sophie Kingdon achieved an A* and 3 A grades, Olivia Bishop achieved an A*, 2 A grades, and a B grade, Susannah Barrett achieved 3 A grades and a B grade, and Sophie Cheng achieved 2 A grades and 2 B grades. pic.twitter.com/IMxI3GZ8ZO
— Lewis Girls’ School (@lewisgirlssch) August 15, 2019
At St Martin’s Comprehensive School in Caerphilly, 92% of pupils achieved at least two A-level passes.
The school also said all of its students obtained the grades required to progress to higher education, apprenticeships and work placements.
St Martin’s pupil Charlotte Ball achieved an A* at English Literature and A grades in History and Religious Education, while Thomas Davies secured A* grades in Maths and Electronics, an A in Physics and a B in Welsh Baccalaureate.
Fellow pupil Jessica Evans achieved four A grades in Welsh Baccalaureate, Biology, Chemistry and Maths, with Evie Poyner achieving A grades in Welsh Baccalaureate, English Literature and Physics, as well as a B grade in Biology.
Headteacher Lee Jarvis congratulated pupils on their results and wished them well in the next stage of their lives.
Elsewhere, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni is celebrating its best ever A-level results.
In total, 29% of results at the Welsh-medium school were between grades A* and A, while 88% were between A* and C grade.
The school would like to congratulate our pupils and staff on a fabulous set of sixth form results our best ever results! The school’s performance is within the top 10% of schools in England and Wales for A-level results and in the top 1% nationally for vocational qualifications.
— YG Cwm Rhymni (@Cwmrhymni) August 15, 2019
Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed has said that all of its Year 13 pupils have achieved a place in university.
Meanwhile, pupils at Nantgarw-based Coleg y Cymoedd, which serves pupils from across Caerphilly County Borough and Rhondda Cynon Taf, were visited by Welsh Government education minister Kirsty Williams AM.
Ms Williams said: “We’ve seen a positive set of results this year with a historically strong performance across the board for all grades. The record number of A*-A shows our top performing students are really flourishing and reaching their full potential.
“I’m also pleased to see the continuing increase in the number of students taking science subjects, which will help meet the demand in many of our key industries into the future.
“It’s a big day for everyone collecting their A-level results and I want to congratulate the students, as well as our fantastic teachers and school staff, for all their hard work that’s led up to today.”
Coleg y Cymoedd pupil Thomas Tiltman, 18, from Bedwas, achieved an A* in Physics and A grades in Biology and further Maths, having completed his Maths A-level a year early aged just 16.
Thomas, who is aiming to become a financier, will now go on to study Maths at Bath University.
Thomas said: “I am so relieved to have got the results I was hoping for today. I was really nervous in the run up to results day because there were a few exams I felt unsure of after completing them but I did the best I could and it’s paid off.
“I’m really look forward to heading to my first choice uni and learning maths at a higher level.”
Eighteen-year-old aspiring computer programmer Daniel Bray, from Caerphilly, achieved an A* in Maths, completing the full A-level in just one year alongside his AS levels.
Daniel, who also achieved an A in Physics and a B in further Maths, taught himself how to code computer software and games.
Meanwhile, having achieved B grades in Drama and Film Studies, a C grade in Welsh Baccalaureate and a distinction in IT, 18-year-old Lily Cornish from Ystrad Mynach will be heading to Exeter University to study Drama.
Congratulations to all our AS and A Level pupils. Lots of happy faces. ? pic.twitter.com/kyyL0SaE2q
— Bedwas High School (@bedwashighsch) August 15, 2019
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for education and achievement, Cllr Philippa Marsden. said: “Congratulations to all our learners receiving their results today. Each individual success is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment.
“Thanks must also go to our dedicated staff and parents, for their passion which has yet again helped support our young people in reaching their full potential.
“Whatever our students are choosing as their next step; whether they’re entering the world of work, taking up an apprenticeship or heading to university, I’m sure they’ll find they are very well equipped to make their next step in life a successful and enjoyable one.”
Caerphilly AM Hefin David said: “These strong set of results show more young people are achieving the very highest grades. I pay tribute to all students, parents, teachers and school governors who work hard to ensure pupils realise their educational goals.”