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STUDENTS across Wales spent yesterday celebrating their A-level results, despite months of controversy over how they would be graded, that continued to the 11th hour this week.
So while the circumstances may have been somwhat different to previous years, the class of 2020 were determined to enjoy the reward for their hard work. And one thing remained the same as any other year – there were plenty of good news stories on exam results day.
St Clare’s School in Porthcawl is celebrating a 100% pass rate at A-level. Half of all pupils at the independent school achieved an A* or A in their exams. A total 79% got A*-B and all students passed further maths. High achievers included:
■ Alys Ridsale, Head Girl, 3 A* in French, Biology and Chemistry;
■ Ben Martin, Head Boy, 3 A* in Maths, Further Maths and Physics;
■ Beca Evans, 2 A* and A in Biology, Chemistry and Maths; and
■ Olivia Woodward, 2 A* and a B in Fine Art, Graphic Communication & Business.
A teenager who has achieved an astonishing five A*s in his A-levels is off to Imperial College London to study physics.
Rory Skinner, 18, from Penarth, thanked his teachers at Stanwell School and said he had been extra nervous after schools were shut and all exams cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m over the moon. It’s a dream to go to Imperial. I’m very happy and really excited to be going to my firm choice. It’s class. After a long summer it all seems worth it.”
At Bro Morgannwg in Barry, Begw Rowlands got an A* in Drama, A in Welsh A, Distinction in Btec Music and an A* in Welsh Bac.
She is deferring for a year as she has been working in Llandough and Heath hospitals in Cardiff and wants to carry on with that.
Merthyr College student Annabel Dennis, from Aberdare, is off to Mansfield College, Oxford, with three A*s in history, sociology and government and politics and an A in English literature.
“It has been quite stressful, but now I know my grades, I am much happier,” she said. “It still doesn’t feel real, but I don’t think it will feel real until I am actually there.
“I actually doing exam so not having that has been daunting but I have had masses of support from the college and from family and friends. I can’t wait to go to university now.”
Also at Merthyr College, congratulations were in order for Caitlin Foley who got an A in History, Geography and RS and an A* in English.
“It has been a bizarre year and I was a bit unsure about how they were going to grade us, but last night when I heard we couldn’t do any less than AS I felt much better,” she said.
Caitlin is off to study History and English at Aberystwyth University.
A Coleg y Cymoedd learner who was inspired by her grandmother to give her A-levels another go and pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor, is celebrating top marks.
Tazkia Choudhury, 20, from Pontypridd, is set to study medicine at Sheffield university after coming back to college to give A-levels a second try and securing A* AA grades in Biology, Chemistry and History.
Three years ago, Tazkia left her school sixth form after receiving D grades in her AS exams and made the decision to focus on caring for her grandmother, who was suffering from terminal cancer.
However, after witnessing her grandmother’s courage Tazkia became determined to improve her grades and go to university. She opted for a fresh start at Coleg y Cymoedd and, despite balancing care duties with her studies, got straight As, even achieving 100% in one of her exams.
Motivated by her late grandmother’s battle with cancer, Tazkia now hopes to work in oncology to help other patients suffering with the disease.
She said: “When I first studied my AS levels, I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 10, but at that moment I thought the idea of doing medicine at university was completely out of my reach. Time moved on, but the dream didn’t go away.”
At Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen, Mali Philips is off to Cardiff Met to study graphic communications after getting two As, a B and a C.
She said: “I had an unconditional offer but I wanted good grades anyway. They’ve done a good job and they’ve been fair with grading results I think.”
Meanwhile her classmate Remiel Wharton is off to Cardiff to study maths.
He had A* in Maths, A in Welsh Bac and D in physics.
He said: “They’re an accurate take on what I was going to get, I think. I have been ignoring all the news and just getting on with stuff.”
Meanwhile, Steffan Jones will head to Cardiff to study maths. He got 3A* in Maths, Welsh and Welsh Bac and a B in History.
He said: “When we heard our A-levels wouldn’t be lower than our AS results that was a bit of a relief.
“Not having to revise this year was a bonus out of all the uncertainty. But you don’t just prove yourself in one exam, you prove yourself in the hard work you do through the year. I was hoping for some decent results so I’m pleased.”
At Carmarthen’s QE High School Tal Remec, head boy, who achieved an A* and two As said: ”I’m absolutely chuffed and so excited. I’m really looking forward to my next three years in Bath University and for what the future has in store.
“I’m really thankful to my teachers and for their support during these crazy times and difficult circumstances. They have always gone the extra mile to help and support me.”
At Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, Pembrokeshire, headteacher Michael Davies said: “I am particularly pleased that despite the challenging circumstances of Covid-19, the vast majority of learners have attained places at the universities of their choice, apprenticeships and employment and all at the school wish them every success in the future.
“The results have been achieved against a backdrop of extraordinary disruption and uncertainty and young people and their teachers must be given the credit they deserve for an outstanding set of results which are the culmination of much hard work on their part.”
Coleg Menai Bangor student Isobel Marshall-Andrews receive an outstanding A* in Biology, A* in Chemistry, A in Physics and A* in the Welsh Baccalaureate.
The 20-year-old from Llangaffo, Anglesey, said: “I’m going to start an undergraduate course in Plant Science at Sheffield University with the aim of progressing on to research into crop sustainability and the interactions between plant life and climate change.
“It’s a strange time to be starting university with the pandemic but I am excited anyway and I can’t wait to begin!”
At the Llandrillo-Menai Pwllheli campus, meanwhile, Lleucu Lane from Garndolbenmaen will be off to Cardiff University to study Medicine after achieving an A* in Maths, an A in Biology and an A in Chemistry.
She said: “It was disappointing not to be able to finish our time as the class of 2020 in the usual way.
“The last few months have been unsettling, which is natural, but now I’m looking forward to the next exciting chapter!”
At Llanrwst’s Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Elliw Ford, Angharad Butler and Patrick Lynch were all successful in their applications to Oxford to study Medicine, Music, French and Polish.
Amongst some of the other highest achievers were Elliw Ford and Ethan Witt, gaining 4A*s each. Isabelle Walmsley and Angharad Butler also gained one A* and 3 As each, Modlen Alun 3As, B and C; and Bethany Trow A*AAC.
Others celebrating yesterday were Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin pupils Joe Hinchcliffe and Natasha Longhurst, who both achieved 4 A*s each.
At Castell Alun High School in Flintshire, meanwhile, Julia Thompson-Viadiu achieved a double distinction and a further distinction in Sport, along with A-levels in Spanish (A*) and History (B), and an AS in Politics (A).