Pembrokeshire pupils' A-level grades above national average (From Western Telegraph)

Pembrokeshire pupils' A-level grades above national average

10:46am Thursday 16th August 2012 in News

Greenhill students are among those celebrating. Picture: Gareth Davies Photography.

The percentage of pupils that have passed Advance and AS-Level exams in Pembrokeshire's secondary schools has remained stable and above the national average.

The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at A-Level was 98.7% compared with the Wales national average of 97.6%. The percentage of pupils gaining A* and A grades in Pembrokeshire was 18.4% compared to a Welsh average of 23.6%. The overall Pembrokeshire pass rate at AS-Level this year was 87.3% compared to a national average of 86.4%.

Pembrokeshire County Council ’s Head of School Effectiveness, Martin Lloyd said: “Our students can be proud of their results. The range of courses available through the Federation and partnership working between post-16 institutions has increased the relevance of the curriculum and resulted in greater motivation on behalf of the students. 

“It is pleasing that a significant number of our young people have been successful at such a demanding level. Students and their teachers are better prepared for these examinations than ever before and their performance has increased as a result. 

“The majority of these students will now be able to progress to their higher education and degree courses.”

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, added: “We are pleased with the overall results and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the students on their successes and thank them for their hard work in preparing so thoroughly for the examinations. 

“I’d like to acknowledge the dedication of the teachers in a time of increased expectations. The continued positive results reflect the joint commitment of all education institutions and Local Authority staff in ensuring that young people are afforded every opportunity to achieve their full potential. 

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support received from the student’s families. This is an important day for the young people who received their results today and I wish all of them well for the future.”

Pembrokeshire College has sustained its A-level results with a staggering 99% pass rate with 20 out of 21 courses at 100% pass rate. Students continued to achieve excellent grades across a wide rage of subjects, A - C 68% and A - A* 19%.

 The College’s Assistant Principal Dr Barry Walters said: “To maintain a similar performance to last year’s excellent results is very pleasing and confirms to us the quality of our A level provision and the commitment of our students and staff.

“Pembrokeshire College has a combination of committed staff; excellent resources; a strong emphasis on student support and an interesting range of subjects on offer to provide our A level students with first class opportunities.”