STUDENTS across Flintshire are celebrating today after making the grade with another record breaking round of A-level results.
Pupils from Flintshire returned to their schools this morning after two months of nervous anticipation to find out if their hard work had paid off.
overall Flintshire saw a significant improvement on the figure for 2007-2008 with some schools reporting overall pass rates of up to 100 per cent, building on the success of last year.
The Alun School in Mold, which has the largest sixth form in Wales, had only two fail grades, with 78 per cent of the grades awarded being either A or B.
Headteacher Ashley Jones said: “I am delighted to report that this set of results has improved upon the very high standards set in previous years.
“Of particular note is the fact that 27 of our students achieved at least three A grades, with their successes being spread across all subjects.
“Our rate of placement of students into their first choice universities has been excellent and our students, parents and staff are rightly celebrating their success.”
Pamela McClean, headteacher at Flint High School, said she was delighted with her students’ 100 per cent pass rate and added: “More than 60 per cent of the students gained A-C grades. These results will enable them to progress to university.
“Particular praise goes to Victoria Humphreys, our best performing candidate, who will be studying sociology, and 95 per cent of our AS students will return to continue their courses at Flint High School in September.
“Congratulations to our hardworking students and staff.”
100 per cent of students at Castell Alun High School, in Hope, achieved pass grades of A to E, with 83 per cent of pupils who passed achieving A to C grades.
Headteacher David Mountfort said: “Through hard work and commitment, our students have excelled both at A and AS level.
“They deserve a great deal of recognition for their wonderful effort and positive work ethic.
“I would like to thank all parents and staff who have tirelessly supported these young people in achieving their dreams.”
Sixth form student development manager Kevin Davies said the results were testimony to the team ethos at Castell Alun.
Huw Alun Roberts, headteacher at Ysgol Maes Garmon, said he was very pleased for the pupils who had worked hard to achieve a 99 per cent pass rate.
Nearly a quarter of all results at the school were A grades and 40 per cent of the students gained at least one grade A.
He said: “The results are good across the board, with notable successes in the sciences and the arts alike, and are the school’s best A-level results in recent years, improving on what was a vintage year last year.”
Roger Davies, headteacher of Hawarden High School, said he was delighted with the school’s 99.6 per cent pass rate, which matched last year’s achievements as being among the very best in the school’s history.
Mr Davies said he recognised the sustained hard work that had been invested in order to achieve the results.
He paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication shown by teaching and support staff, and thanked parents and the local community for their continued support to students.
Mohammad Rashud, headteacher at John Summers High School, said: “We had a small, intimate year group this year and I am very pleased with the results.
“We had a 100 per cent pass rate, with 86 per cent of students going on to higher education and the remaining 14 per cent to further education.
“We also had three outstanding students – Danielle Davies and Rebecca McCarthy – who both gained As in sociology, Bs in geography and Cs in English, and Karl Latham, who achieved As in English and maths and a B in geography."
Students and staff at Deeside College are celebrating an overall pass rate of 99 per cent.
Principal and chief executive David Jones said the results were outstanding.
He added: “My congratulations go to all our A-level students and the staff who have helped them achieve such excellent results.”
Students and staff at Buckley’s Elfed High School are also celebrating an outstanding set of results.
Headteacher Rosemary Jones said: “Today brings news of excellent personal and academic achievements, for example, by Peter Kavanagh and Rhian Greener, who are celebrating straight A grades.”
Another student, Sian Davies, who also gained A grades, will progress to university to study criminology.
Mrs Jones added: “As a year group, the students have made an outstanding contribution to the school. They have organised outstanding charity concerts and the peer supporters have demonstrated real care and concern for younger students in the school.
“The students’ commitment to their studies has brought rewards.”
Holywell High School reported an overall pass rate of 99 per cent.
John Putt, headteacher, said: “I believe that this is the best performance at Holywell High School ever. I am very pleased with the results.
“From my perspective as a headteacher I think it is testimony to the hard work all of the students put in and it is also thanks to the support from parents at home and teachers at school.”
St Richard Gwyn, Flint headteacher Derek Doran said: “Today saw another successful set of A-level results for all our hard-working students. It was wonderful to see their efforts, and that of their teachers so justly rewarded.”
He added: “100 per cent of students received at least one A-level pass, 92 per cent of students received at least two A-level passes and 75 per cent received at least three A-level passes.”
Greg Dixon, headteacher at Connah’s Quay High School, said: “This year sees another set of successful results for the school.
“We are delighted with the exceptional individual achievements of the students.”
The headteacher at St David’s High School, Saltney, was unavailable for comment as the Leader went to press.
>> Write a message of congratulations to Flintshire’s A-level students