County praised for A-level successes (From Western Telegraph)

County praised for A-level successes

THE WAIT was over for students across the county on Thursday as the A-level results were announced. Pass rates rose again and the A - E pass rate (95%) was 0.7% above the Welsh average.

Ysgol y Preseli achieved a 100% pass rate, while nearly 99% of Fishguard High School pupils passed.

Ms Christine Wright, headteacher at Fishguard, said: We are very happy with the results - they are a credit to the students, parents and staff. Two Fishguard students achieved three A grades - Lowri Morgan and Hywel Williams. Lowri will read music at Londons Guildhall University, while Hywel will read pharmacy at Cardiff.

At Milford School there was a 94% pass rate and some superb individual achievements. Martin Evans will read chemical engineering at Oxford after securing five A grades, while Jonathan Matthews will join Imperial College, London, after achieving four A grades and a B.

Headteacher, Mrs Pamela Munday, was delighted. Our results are up again for the fourth year in a row. Were extremely pleased, she said.

The head boy and head girl of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland, are both Oxbridge bound after achieving straight As. Will James will study history at Cambridge while Angharad Lewis will read biochemistry at Oxford. Two other Whitland students achieved three A grades - Abigail Edmunds and Dylan Blain.

The results are the best in the history of the school and Im absolutely delighted, said headteacher Dr Keith Davies.

Ysgol y Preseli student Frances Millican is to study natural sciences at Harvard University after securing three A grades. Two other students achieved straight As - Hawys Tomos and Geraint Thomas.

I congratulate the students and staff for the schools best ever results, as well as the parents for the support they provide, said headteacher Mr Lloyd. It was a similar success story at Tasker Milward, Haverfordwest, with students scoring an average of 18 UCAS points. Philippa Bowen, Kathryn Hill, Joshua Holden, Briony Edwards, Gareth Watkins and Christopher Harding all achieved outstanding results.

Overall, we are extremely pleased, said headteacher Chris Jones. Pembroke School was also pleased with its pupils results. Over 90% achieved the grades to get into their chosen university and three were set to study medicine - one of them at Oxford.

They were a fair set of results across the whole ability range, which reflect the efforts made by students and staff, said Linda Allerton. Headteacher of Sir Thomas Picton, Haverfordwest, Dr George Davies, said: Were happy all round. Most of the students have got their university places and there were some outstanding individual results.

Headteacher of Ysgol Dewi Sant, Walter Dash, said: Were very pleased with the results, which represent a lot of hard work on behalf of the teachers and staff.

Greenhill School, Tenby, were delighted with their best ever set of results, with students achieving an average of 19 UCAS points.

Ten students received 30 points or more with six of those achieving at least three A grades.

We are extremely pleased. This has been a particularly conscientious year group who thoroughly deserve their success, said headteacher Chris Noble.

Nearly 99% of Cardigan Secondary School students achieved passes at grades A - E with, 75 % of those coming in the A - C range.

Lisa Pugh achieved four As and Nicola James received three As and a C. Owain Evans and Rebecca Coughlan both scored three straight As.

Councillor John Thomas, chairman of Pembrokeshire County Councils education committee, said the results were excellent.

They are an indication of the dedication and hard work of students, schools and parents across the county, he said.

The majority of Pembrokeshire College students were offered courses at their chosen university and results surpassed the national average.

Yet again, there have been some outstanding individual achievements with a good overall pass rate, said faculty manager Sian Thompson.