YOUNGSTERS CELEBRATE A-LEVEL RESULTS
PUPILS across Bridgend county borough achieved impressive A-level results as standards were maintained from last year.
Following significant improvements in 2016, 98.3% of students passed their A-levels this year, with 77.7% achieving A* to C grades.
Students in the borough performed highly across all levels:
A*-A: 22.4% against a Wales average of 25%
A*-C: 76.7% against a Wales average of 75.3%
A*-E: 98.3% against a Wales average of 97.7%
Cabinet member for education and regeneration, Coun Charles Smith, said: “This year’s A-level results have demonstrated further strong performance across all levels.
“I would like to congratulate pupils and students on their hard-earned success and thank teachers, governors and parents for their unwavering dedication and support.”
Here’s how the schools performed:
Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School
There was a great deal to be celebrated at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School this year.
The number of students achieving the very top grades continued to improve with 36% of all grades at A* to A and almost a quarter of the cohort achieving A grades in at least three subjects.
Head teacher Angela Keller said the results of the year group matched or exceeded the highest performing in Wales.
“We are all so proud of these pupils,” she said.
“After last year’s outstanding successes we did not think we could do better but our expectations have once again been exceeded.
“It is a testament to the efforts of these young people.”
Staff and pupils were overjoyed with the performance, with 89% of all grades achieved at a grade C or higher and 99.6% of students achieving A* to E grades. The students also maintained their 100% Level 3 threshold. Brynteg School Three students at Brynteg School, who all achieved three A* grades, successfully gained places at Cambridge University.
Emily Williams, Brogan Thomas and Max Brennan will be studying education, veterinary medicine and medicine respectively.
Other high achievers were: Ellie Butcher (A A A), Ayisha Dyer (A* A* A), Courtney Edwards (A A A), Thomas Exton (A A A), Adam Hogan (A* A* A), Daniel Jenkins (A* A* B), Harvey Jones (A* A* A A), Ellie MacGregor (A* A* A), Amy Morgan (A* A A), Shivani Potnis (AA A), Hannah Pottinger (A* A A), Eliza Scott-Thomas (A* A* B), Carys Sheard (A* A* A A), Emily Stimpson (A* A A), Gabriella Wilde (A* A* A).
Head teacher David Jenkins said: “We are delighted with this year’s results, which once again reflect the hard work of students and staff at Brynteg.
“These results build on the school’s long tradition of academic excellence in the sixth form, with some outstanding individual results.
“The vast majority of our students are now looking forward to attending their first choice of university. Naturally, we wish all of our students every success for the future.”
Bryntirion Comprehensive School
A record number of students at Bryntirion will be moving on to university this year.
A total of 29% of examinations sat by students were awarded an A* or A grade and 82% of entries achieved an A to C grade.
Iwan Caudy and head girl Eleri Harry have both gained places at Oxford University, with Iwan choosing to read chemistry and Eleri going on to study history.
Head boy Scott Hawtin also secured a place to study dentistry at Plymouth University.
Head teacher Nick Brain said: “It is pleasing to report outstanding results from all students.
“This performance reflects a strong commitment by students, parents and teachers to achieve academic results of the highest standard.
“As a school we wish to congratulate everyone and wish each student good luck and success for the future.”
Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen
The Tondu school is also celebrated an outstanding A-level results day.
Results include 97% of grades achieved at A* to E and over 60% at A* to C.
Pupil Joe Allen achieved an A*AB and Lauren Morgan finished with A*ABBC.
Head teacher Nick Brain said: “We are really proud of the achievements of our students. They have worked incredibly hard and can now look forward to bright futures in their chosen careers.
“Staff and governors would like to congratulate all our students and wish them the very best of luck in the future.”
Cynffig Comprehensive School
Staff were delighted with pupil performance at Cynffig Comprehensive, with 100% of students achieving A* to E grades.
The vast majority of pupils are moving on to university or apprenticeships next year after a record-breaking performance for the school.
Some outstanding performances included Lucy McArthur achieving A*A*AA in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and Cameron Sim achieving A*AAB in maths, further maths, physics and chemistry.
Thomas Howe had an AABB in maths, Welsh Baccaulureate, history and physics. Ysgol Maesteg Pupils at Ysgol Maesteg celebrated outstanding successes in this year’s results, with an overall A* to C pass rate of 77%.
This year, the number of pupils achieving three A* to A grades was the highest in the school’s history.
Overall, 97% of pupils achieved two A* to E grades.
Head teacher Helen Jones said: “We are thrilled with the performance of our sixth-form pupils who achieved a total of 59 A* and A grades between them.
“We are pleased to see so many of our pupils gaining places at some of the country’s top universities.
“These results reflect the dedication of our staff, parents and governors to raise the aspirations of our pupils so that they strive to achieve their very best. They have made us all extremely proud.”
Saran Sayce achieved an A* and three A grades and will go on to study law at the University of Bristol. Kieran Hood gained an A* and two As and will study physics at Swansea University.
Penybont Sixth Form College
The overall pass rate at Penybont Sixth Form College increased to over 98% this year, with almost 20% of grades achieved at the A* and A level.
This year saw the first set of results for the exciting new partnership between Pencoed Comprehensive and Bridgend College in the formation of Penybont Sixth Form College.
Grace Shaughnessy gained three A* grades in English, RE and Spanish and an A in the Welsh Baccalaureate. She is going to study English language and literature at Merton College, Oxford University.
Head teacher David George thanked staff for the hard work and support they have afforded the students on their journey to achieving the praise-worthy set of Alevel results attained.
Porthcawl Comprehensive School
The 127 A-level students at Porthcawl achieved a pass rate of 99%, with 28% of grades A* and A.
Standout performances were reached by 13 stu- dents who gained three A grades or better.
The school is delighted that two of their students, Alexandra Hunt and Lydia Picket, have gained places at Cambridge University.
Alexandra will be reading veterinary science at Pembroke College and Lydia will take up her place at St Catherine’s College to read medicine.
Head teacher Mr Slade said the excellent series of results would ensure Porthcawl students secure places at some of the best universities in the country.
Mr Slade congratulated staff and students who were praised for their hard work and dedication. St Clare’s School Sixth form students from St Clare’s School in Porthcawl are celebrating another year of excellent results, with a 100% pass rate and 34% at A* or A grades.
Straight A students were Thomas Hood, Siobhan Lock and Joshua Williams who have confirmed places at top destinations.
Head boy Thomas Hood achieved an A in maths, chemistry and biology. Thomas has accepted a place at Cardiff University to read biomedical science and he plans to go into medicine and become an orthopaedic surgeon.
Deputy head girl Siobhan Lock achieved an A* in chemistry and biology and an A in psychology and French. She has accepted a place at Cardiff University to read psychology and wants to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist.
Josh Williams, head of charities, also achieved an A in history, Spanish and art. He has accepted a place at University of
Exeter to read modern languages (Spanish and Portuguese).
Head girl Carla Prinsloo also gained A* in art and A* in textiles and has accepted a place to read textile design at the prestigious London College of Fashion. Once she’s got her degree, Carla plans to do her masters and become a fashion designer. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd
All students who entered for Level 3 qualifications at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg achieved two or more A* to E grades.
Every student passed the Challenge Skills Certificate, with over half gaining an A* to B.
Overall, 45% of qualifications were awarded at A* to B and 75% and A* to C.
Head teacher Meurif Jones said: “We are proud of our Level 3 results this year. This is a testament to the hard work of the students and staff in gaining good results and we wish them the very best as they continue to further studies, employment, or workbased training.”