STUDENTS CELEBRATE EXAM SUCCESS
IT WAS a successful A-level results day for youngsters across Bridgend last week.
Pupils in the county helped drive a 6.6% improvement in the proportion of A*-A grades.
The county-wide figure has risen up to 26.7%, closing the gap on the allWales figure of 27%.
The county’s top performers also flourished with the proportion of students gaining three A*-A grades increasing by 3.3% (from 9.2% up to 12.5%) while the number of students gaining three A*-C grades has increased to 57.5% – a 1% cent rise.
There was an increase to 98.8% of students gaining two or more A-levels, while the A*-E success rate rose to 97.4% which was just shy of the allWales figure of 97.6%.
At Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School, the class of 2019 maintained the amazing results from last year, placing the school’s A-level performance in the top 5% of schools in the UK.
Students have secured places at universities across the country, including London, Durham, Exeter and Nottingham.
The school recorded 28% of all grades at A grade and above.
Standout pupils include Sophie Williams, who received three A*s and one A. She is going to study at the University of Nottingham.
At Bryntirion Comprehensive School, more than a third of all A-levels were graded at either A* or A. Two students are going to Oxford University – Amber Davies will be reading English and Nathan Ashby is studying joint honours English and French – after they both got five A* grades,
An overall pass rate of 97% was recorded at Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen with 56 out of 57 of learners achieving the level three threshold.
The number of passes at A*-C was 71%. There was an impressive improvement of learners achieving three A*-A grades which marks yet another year of excellent academic and personal achievements.
Among the best achievers were Rhodri Ellis, who achieved three A* and is now going to Bath to study computer science and mathematics; head girl Megan Nicholas achieved two A* and an A and is going to Exeter University to study geography science; deputy head boy Kai Owens achieved three A grades and a B and is now going to Exeter University to study philosophy; and Jordan Jones achieved three A grades and an A* and is going to Swansea University to study computer science.
A-level and other level three equivalent vocational courses at Pencoed Comprehensive School are delivered through the Penybont Sixth Form College.
The 59 Year 13 students achieved an increase in grades compared to 2018 when comparing the percentage of pupils gaining three A*-C. The percentage of pupils gaining three A* to A also increased – 10.2% compared with 6.7% last year.
Overall 29.3% of students received an A*-A grade, 83.8% secured A*-C results and 99.4% achieved A*-E grades.
Among the students receiving their grades was Kahlio Mader, who achieved three A*s and one A and will now study biomedical sciences at St Hilda’s College, Oxford.
The business course at Bridgend College celebrated a 97.4% exam pass rate at level three, with many students securing places at top universities.
Liam Newman was thrilled with his triple distinction in a BTEC Level 3 qualification in IT. Liam is autistic and has praised the college for its support during his time there.
He said: “I don’t think I would have gotten this far if it wasn’t for Bridgend College. They’ve supported me both with my condition and with extracurricular activities. They’ve helped me significantly.”
Liam has secured a place at Cardiff University to study applied software engineering.
At Maesteg Comprehensive School, 96% of students achieved three A-levels at grade A*-E.
Headteacher Helen Jones said: “Maesteg School pupils celebrated another year of success in today’s A-level results, marking significant personal achievements – 96% of students achieved three A-levels grade A*-E, with over 40% of students achieving three A-levels at A*-C grade.
“A quarter of our students achieved A*-B grades and have set the bar for our Year 12 students, who have achieved the most promising set of AS results in the school’s recent history.
“We are pleased to see so many of our pupils gaining places at some of the country’s top universities and securing valuable apprenticeships.
“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 and compete with the best also.
“They have made us all extremely proud.”
At Porthcawl Comprehensive School, there was a 97.2% pass rate at A*-E, with 25.5% achieving A or A*.
The following students have achieved three As or better: Anna Biju, Beth Burke, Emily Childs, Charlotte Coleman, Steffan Davies, Marcus Fish, Emily Jones, Rhys Leary, Elen McCloy, Megan Morris, Catherine Pickett, Lauren Slaughter, Maya Squires and Maja Zeleska.
It was the first time the school had seven successful applications to study medicine.
At Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, 100% of learners achieved two or more level three qualifications at A*-E.
Of all qualifications, 28% were awarded A*-A grades and 78% A*-C – a “significant improvement” on last year’s results.
Every learner achieved the Skills Challenge Certificate, with 39% being awarded an A*-A grade.
When it came to BTEC qualifications, 57% were awarded distinction* or distinction grades, with 100% achieving success in the vocational qualifications.
Headteacher Meurig Jones said: “We are extremely proud in our level three results this year. This is testament to the hard work of the learners and staff, in gaining good results and we wish them the very best as they continue to either further studies, employment or work-based training.”
Wales achieved record top marks in this year’s A-level results, with the highest-ever number of A*s awarded since the grade was introduced in 2010.
It is the second year running that the country has pushed up the top mark, with 9.1% of all grades awarded at A*, compared to last year’s 8.7%, the previous record.
The top marks come as Wales completes its reform of A-levels this year. In contrast, the proportion of A-level entries awarded an A grade or higher has fallen to the lowest for more than a decade in England and Northern Ireland.
Wales outperformed the English regions and Northern Ireland at A* and at A*-A, although increasing differences in exams across the borders make comparisons harder.
Education Minister Kirsty 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.”