‘We are extremely proud of all of our students who have worked so hard...’

STUDENTS across Rhondda Cynon Taff received their GCSE results last week.

Since last year, results in Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not directly comparable – with different exams and different grade structures.

The percentage of pupils achieving the key pass benchmark of five A*-Cs has fallen for a second year running to 61.6%.

There was also a dip in the percentage of exams that achieved an A*-G grade (the bottom grade) – down to 96.4%.

These are the headline figures showing the overall pass rate is down – but more are getting As and A*s. Results for all the schools in the area have been broken down individually. At the school, 97% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs and nobody left Aberdare Community School without gaining a qualification.

There was an improvement in GCSE English and the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs.

All BTEC pupils achieved a C grade or above, which meant a large number of pupils achieved the grades they needed to go on to sixth form and other colleges. Headteacher Mark Powell said: “I would like to congratulate everyone associated with these results.

“Pupils and their teachers have worked assiduously to attain these outcomes and they deserve to be proud.

“Well done to all!” At Mountain Ash, 61% of Year 11 pupils achieved at least five A*-C grades and 96% achieved at least five A*-G grades.

Headteacher Samantha Evans said: “We are extremely proud of all of our students who have worked extremely hard over the past year and the staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that pupils achieved their potential.

“We wish our Year 11 students all the very best for the next stage of their career.” Over a quarter of pupils achieved the top grades of five A*-A, and nearly 70% of pupils achieved five A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths.

Headteacher Dr SM Mitchell said: “I am thrilled at the wonderful grades that our pupils have achieved.

“We have made another significant improvement in our results. It is lovely to see so many happy pupils.

“They have worked really hard and with great commitment and are so pleased. I would like to congratulate them and also praise the hard work of all our staff who have given so much extra support to all of our pupils.

“Well done! We look forward to welcoming pupils back into our sixth form and wishing all continued success and happiness in the future.”

Sally Bishop, of Aberdare Community School, gained nine A*s and two As in her GCSEs

Shannah Mabbit, a pupil at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, achieved 10 A*s and one A in her GCSEs

Paige Earland, a stduent at St John Baptist CIW High School, had seven A*s, five As and a Distinction in Additional Maths