A Level results 2018: Top marks for Flintshire students

The results from the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) show that for examinations taken with them, 98.8 per cent of entries received pass grades A*-E.

The proportion of grades in the A* to C range is 76.5per cent.

Councillor Ian Roberts, Flintshire Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: "Having received the information for entries with the WJEC Examination Board, the Council warmly congratulates all the students on their hard work and success.

"As we celebrate these results, we recognise the commitment and professional support of our schools and teachers in preparing their students for their exams and also the support given by their parents and carers over many years."

CASTELL ALUN HIGH SCHOOL, HOPE

Castell Alun High School in Hope has not only seen its students accept a record number of places on traditional top university courses, but also had several achieve places on highly acclaimed diverse niche courses around Great Britain.

Nearly a quarter of all grades awarded were at A or A* and half of all grades were awarded at A* to B.

Furthermore, 80 per cent of all students secured three or more A* to C grade passes with nearly all students achieving three or more grades at A* to E.

Naomi Sievers and Darcy de Winter at Castell Alun

Headteacher Graham Hughes said: “This is a fantastic achievement for all concerned with Castell Alun. We are delighted for all our students.”

Among the school’s top achievers were Darcy de Winter, Jamie Williams and Aidan Young who each achieved 3A* grades, along with a raft of further top grades. Darcy and Jamie are now set for Durham University to read Social Sciences and Physics with Astronomy respectively.

Breaking all regional and potentially national records also, Tom Lloyd did not drop a single UMS point on any paper of his 4 AS-level qualification examination papers. When ratified nationally, it is believed that this could be one of the greatest achievements ever by a student in Wales.

ALUN SCHOOL, MOLD

Head of sixth form, Dr Tim Erasmus, explained that for the first time in the school four students achieved three straight A* grades.

In addition a further ten students gained two A* plus mainly A grades.

Dr Erasmus added: “I am pleased to report that this year’s results are amongst the best this school has ever achieved.

“We have one of the largest sixth forms in Wales with nearly 200 students sitting A-level and equivalent exams and over half of the grades achieved were B or above.

Ryan Copack, Sophie Simms, Sophie Hodby and Eliza Nash at Mold Alun

“Taking this further, nearly 80 per cent gained a C or greater and the overall pass rate was 98.6 per cent.

“These excellent results ensure that most of our students will get their first-choice places at universities across the UK, including Sophie Sims who will be taking up her place to study English Literature at Oxford.

“I would like to congratulate all of our students and their teachers, both here and in previous schools, who have contributed to this outstanding level of success.”

The schools top achievers were Ryan Coppack, Eliza Nash, Sophie Sims and Sophie Hodby, who each achieved three A* grades.

COLEG CAMBRIA

Coleg Cambria further strengthened its place among the top colleges in the UK with a 99 per cent overall A-level pass rate.

The institution is celebrating its best-ever results having achieved an 82 per cent pass rate for grades A* to C across its sites in Deeside and Wrexham.

The top performing courses included biology, English literature and Welsh, and 29 subjects secured a perfect pass rate of 100 per cent.

AS Level students also raised the bar, with an overall 95 per cent of students passing courses such as further maths, which was the stand out programme.

Chief Executive David Jones paid tribute to the students and staff for the hard work which has seen the college break all previous records.

“After our success last year it’s amazing to see we have continued to improve and achieved the best results in the college’s history,” said Mr Jones.

“I’m not surprised because I know how hard the students work - the expertise and support of our staff combined with the major investment we have made in cutting-edge facilities has contributed greatly toward this landmark, but, ultimately, it is down to the students ability, drive and determination.

“I would like to thank them for the way they have represented Coleg Cambria and congratulate everyone who received their grades today. We wish them all the best for the future and will always be here if they need us.”

Arnold Gupta achieved three A* grades and an A and is planning to study maths at university after spending some time working and travelling.

He told the Leader: “It has been two years of hard work and this is a huge relief.”

FLINT HIGH SCHOOL

All A-level students got the results they need to go to their university of choice.

The school has reported that 100 per cent of students met the level three threshold with 80 per cent of students grades at A* to C.

Lili-Mai Davies is going to Central Lancashire to study forensic science and criminal investigation.

Nadine Beck is extending her coaching placement in America and Dominique Atkins is taking up an apprenticeship with Unilever.

Students celebrate at Flint High School

Tommy Roberts is going to Lancaster to study history, Alexander Jones is going to the university of Lancaster to study mechanical engineering and Thomas Hughes is going to Staffordshire University to study computer games design and programming.

Sian Williams, head of sixth form, said: “I am extremely pleased with the results.

“This is a great achievement considering the changes to the structure of the A-level qualification this year, which is now more exam based and has much greater course content.

“The fact that all of our students have secured their choice of university is fantastic and a credit to their hard work.

“I am very proud of all their achievements and wish them every happiness and success for the future.”

YSGOL MAES GARMON, MOLD

Bronwen Hughes, headteacher, said just over half of the school’s A-level students have accepted places to study at universities in England with the rest staying in Wales having sat entrance exams for Bangor and Aberystwyth and received scholarships or bursaries following their results.

She added: “These grades are a reflection of our students’ hard work and dedication of the teaching staff over two years and it is wonderful to see them achieve so well.”

Students celebrate at Ysgol Maes Garmon

Aled Owen, head of sixth form, said: “I’m very proud of what these year 13 students have achieved.

“Their hard work and dedication has assured them of their first choice places in university.

“I wish them the very best - they have bright futures ahead of them and it has been my pleasure to see them achieve their goals.”

Head girl Natasha Toone will study geography at Bangor University having gained an A* in the subject, two further A grades and a B.

She told the Leader: “I was hoping for all Bs but I didn’t expect this - I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Her parents Wan and Mario Toone said: “We are elated and proud. Thank you to the school and the staff, it is a great school.”

The school’s head boy Aled Jones will study agriculture and business management and Aberystwyth having gained four B grades.

Other high achieving students include Ella Bright who achieved an A*, two As and two Bs - as well as Pierre Lewis who gained two As and three Bs.

HAWARDEN HIGH SCHOOL

Simon Budgen, headteacher, congratulated students for their achievements.

He said: “There has been a 10 per cent improvement on last year’s headline level three threshold figures with a very pleasing proportion of higher level grades also being awarded.

“Over half of all grades were A*, A or B and three quarters of grades achieved at A* to C.

Students at Hawarden High School show off their A level results

“It is also pleasing to see the results of the AS examinations with one in ten students of the year 12 cohort achieving at least three A grades.”

High achieving students include Adam Brooke-Jones, who achieved three A* grades and an A grade, deputy head girl Madeleine Dibble who achieved three A* grades and an A grade and Liam Evans, who achieved two A* grades and an A grade.

Deputy head boy Louie McIver also achieved two A* grades, an A and a B grade and he hopes to study music at Cambridge or Durham University.

Rachael Southwell, director of sixth form, said: “It is fantastic, the students have had a fantastic morning. We have had a wonderful set of results we are extremely pleased about.

“It is great to see the students so excited to go off to universities - the majority have got their first choice.”

ST RICHARD GWYN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, FLINT

Students celebrated ‘record’ results for the number of students achieving the top A* and A grades, as well as an overall pass rate of 98.2 per cent.

More than 14 per cent of students achieved an A* or A grade in three or more of their subjects.

The school extended particular congratulations to Harry Beaumont who received an unconditional offer to study physics at Oxford University, Corey Jones who achieved three A* grades and an A, as well as Rokas Bakutis who gained two A* grades and two As.

Other high achieving students include Emily Owen (A*,A, A), Becky Simpson (A*, A, A), Lydia O’Neill (A*, A, A) and Harry Robinson (A, A, A).

Paul Heitzman, headteacher said: “We have had an excellent year this year. Everyone at the school is absolutely delighted with the results.

“The record number of students achieving A* and A grades is nearly twice the Flintshire average.

“The overall pass rate is also very high so this has been an excellent year for the sixth form. What we’re trying to build here is a sixth form where all students can do well and this year we have done it. Congratulations to the students and staff who have worked so hard to achieve these results”.