Carmarthenshire students congratulated on GCSE results day

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s assessment and qualification process has been different to previous years with summer examinations cancelled.

Instead, a new system was designed and delivered by schools and colleges based on a range of assessment evidence on which to determine a learner’s grade.

Final results have been published today (August 12) and show that over a quarter (28.7%) of GCSE students earned A*-A grades nationally.

Almost three quarters (73.6%) received A*-C grades, and overall 98.5% of students passed their GCSEs with grades of A*-G.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Executive Board Member for Education and Children’s Services, said everyone who has received their exam results should be proud of what they’ve achieved.

“On behalf of the council I’d like to congratulate all our learners and wish them well for their onward journey.

“This year once again, due to the ongoing pandemic, has presented exceptional challenges for our students and our teachers, and I want to thank everyone for their extraordinary efforts and resilience, and for the great support staff, students and families have shown to one another.

“The effort, commitment and strength of character our learners have shown cannot be underestimated and their results are fully deserved.”

Students at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman with James Durbridge, who will become the school's new headteacher in September

Director of Education and Children’s Services Gareth Morgans added: “I am extremely proud of our learners for all that they have achieved during such challenging circumstances, the last 18 months has seen huge disruption to their studies, but they have continued to work hard, and I want to congratulate every single one of them. I wish them all the very best for the future whether they are staying in education, training or employment.

“Our school staff have also had to work under a lot of pressure to deliver and mark learners’ assessments, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued hard work and commitment.”

At Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, deputy head James Durbridge, who will take over from Nerys Nicholas as headteacher in September, said: "We are especially proud of our Year 11 cohort this year. They have been an extraordinary group of students who have battled through adversity to achieve excellent results this summer.

"We warmly congratulate every individual on their fantastic achievements. We look forward to further working with our students to ensure they progress in their studies at school, in apprenticeships, college or employment from September.

"I would like to thank our wonderful team of staff for their quality support and guidance which has meant that so many students have chosen to remain at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman for their Sixth Form studies. I would also like to thank parents and guardians for their outstanding support and co-operation during what has been a very difficult and challenging time for everyone.

"We have been inspired by everyone’s success stories. This set of results is a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of pupils, staff, parents, governors and the whole school community at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

"Llongyfarchiadau gwresog i bob un o’n dysgwyr ni ar eich llwyddiannau haeddiannol a dymuniadau gorau i chi i gyd i’r dyfodol."

Llandovery College’s top performing GCSE students celebrate with the Warden.

Llandovery College students have celebrated GCSE success.

Students, parents and staff are celebrating with 41% (last year 43%) A*-A grades of all examinations taken. As well as an increase to 96% (last year 92%) of A*-C grades.

Llandovery College Warden, Dominic Findlay, said: “I am hugely proud of both the students and staff who worked tirelessly to produce in-depth evidence for the exam boards for every student in each and every subject.

“We look forward to welcoming those returning to Llandovery College in September, as they progress along their educational pathway in the Sixth Form.”