SIXTH Form pupils across the Tivyside area were today celebrating their A-Level results.

At Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, 20 per cent of the grades awarded were at A*-A, almost 60 per cent of the grades were awarded at A*-B and 86 per cent at A*-C.

One hundred per cent of students achieved the level 3 threshold (at least two A-Levels at grades A*-E), and 100 per cent of candidates achieved the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Skills Challenge Certificate, 97 per cent of them at grades A*-C, and almost 56 per cent of the Welsh Baccalaureate grades were awarded at grades A* to B.

Notable successes included Oliver Just de Bleser (A*AAC) who will study physics at Birmingham University, Steffan Walker-Griffiths (AAAB) who will study chemistry at Birmingham University, Lisa Burton (A*ABC) who intends to study nursing at Swansea University, Sasha Francis (AABB) who will study biochemistry at the University of Bath, Caitlin McMillan (AABB) who will study geography at Birmingham University, Peter Westbury (AABC) who will study international politics at Cardiff University, Sophie Dorras (A*BBB) who will study accountancy at Swansea University, Arthur Davies (ABBB) who will study product design at Cardiff, Aysa Ozcan (ABBB) who will study law at Southampton University and Natalie Webb (ABBB) who will study journalism at Cardiff University.

Cardigan headteacher Nicola James said: “The staff and governors are very proud of every one of our students and we congratulate them all on these excellent results.

“Every student is now successfully moving on to the next step in their educational or professional lives, and they are well placed to develop fulfilling and productive careers.

“I congratulate the students on their achievements and wish them all every success for the future, and I thank the teaching and support staff for their hard work and commitment.”

At Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, a total of 18 per cent of grades were A*-A, with 45 per cent of grades at A*-B and 65 per cent at A*-C.

Notable successes included Maeve Chandler Blackburn (A* AAC), Tiffany Edmonds (AAA), Ioan Evetts (AAAC), Seren Moody (A*A*A*A), Ella Smith (A*A*A*A*), Molly Smith (AAAB) and Edward Upton (A*A*AAB).

At AS-Level, Cameron Christie, Freya Davies, Florence Gunn-Wilson, Ffion Rys and Ben Ward all achieved high grades.

Newcastle Emlyn headteacher Hugh Thomas said: “The school is very proud of all the students, nearly all of whom have gained a place in their first-choice university.

“I would like to congratulate all our students and express my gratitude to the staff for their hard work and to the parents and governing body for their support.

“We wish all out students every success in the future.”

At Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, 40 per cent of grades were awarded at A*-A; 89 per cent at A*-C and 99per cent A*-E.

Headteacher Mr Michael Davies said: “This is yet another impressive set of results, an improvement on 2018 and I am delighted that so many of our students have done so well.

"I am particularly pleased that the vast majority have attained places at the universities of their choice, apprenticeships and employment and all at the school wish them every success in the future."

Efa Bowen will continue Ysgol y Preseli’s excellent record of securing places at Oxbridge where she will study politics, philosophy and economics.

Four students will go on to study medicine and Callum Harding has been awarded a scholarship to complete an apprenticeship with Valero having achieved five excellent A-Level grades.

Among the top performers were: Ellie Palfrey (4A*), Talfan Jenkins (2A*, 2A), Thomas Renny (2A*, A), Efa Bowen (A*, 3A), Rhiannon Morgan (A*, 3A), Caleb Nicholas (A*, 3A), Katie Lewis (A*, 2A), Matilda White (2A*,B), Indie Young (A*, 2A, B), Meghan Greenhalgh (4A), Isaac Hughes (3A, B), Elen John (3A, B), Jessica Balfour (3A, B).

Across Wales, the top A* to A grades increased this year to 27 per cent, from 26.3 per cent in 2018, a historic high. The provisional results show Wales improving in ranking for all grades and to first for A*, compared to English regions and Northern Ireland.

The main figures from today’s provisional results are:

  • Attainment of top grades has increased – A*-A passes rose from 26.3% in 2018 to 27%, a historic high
  • A* passes are now at 9.1%, also an historic high
  • Results remained stable at A*-C, with the overall pass rate of 76.3% still at the highest level since 2009
  • Wales has made improvements in ranking for all grades and is now ranked first for A* compared to the English regions and Northern Ireland
  • Among the core subjects, maths has the highest pass rate at A*-A, with 45.2% achieving those grades
  • An increase in the number of science entries and more achieving A*-C grades in biology (+1.1% points), chemistry (+2.2% points) and physics (+1.1% points)
  • Results are stable at AS Level, with 20.3% awarded an A grade and 90.0% achieving grades A-E

Welsh 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.”