A-LEVEL students across Wrexham are celebrating after achieving outstanding results in their exams.
At Ysgol Morgan Llwyd they were delighted with their best ever set of A-levels – a pass rate of 100 per cent and higher grades A-C at 84 per cent.
Congratulating everyone involved, head teacher Huw Foster Evans said: “We are delighted for our students who have worked so hard and wish them all the best as they move on to well-earned university places.
"They leave us to take degrees in subjects ranging from medicine to social policy studies, history and engineering.”
Yale College, which has the largest number of A-level students in Wrexham and North Wales, reported that grades were up in all areas.
The figures included a 97.3 per cent pass rate at grades A –E, both staff and students are celebrating what is the fifth year of consistently high results.
These have averaged 98 per cent over the past five years and mirror the success rates in vocational courses and apprenticeships.
Results were up for A-C grades at 76 per cent and for AS-levels which had a 91.4 per cent A-E pass rate.
The college had 26 students achieving three A grades or more and six of these reached the four A grade mark.
It wasn’t just the youngsters receiving their grades today at the college. The oldest A-level learner gained an AS-level in art and design at the age of 69, while 68-year-old Tom Kelly achieved an AS-level in German.
Principal Paul Croke said, “We couldn’t be happier with the success of our students and staff. Together with our win of the Overall Wales Quality Award they add to what has been a year of outstanding achievement for the college.”
Ysgol Rhiwabon was extremely pleased with a 93 per cent pass rate for the Welsh Baccalaureate which is the equivalent of an A grade at A-level.
A 94 per cent pass rate in A -levels together with the Welsh Baccalaureate results were described by headteacher Angela Williams as just rewards for the hard work of students from a wide range of backgrounds.
One of those to benefit from the additional qualification is Jamie Pugh whose advanced pass in the Welsh Baccalaureate added to his A grades in biology, PE and mathematics gave him the equivalent of four A grades which comfortably exceeds the requirements for him to take up a place at Loughborough University to study sports science.
Others to benefit from Welsh Baccalaureate successes are student president Gareth Jones, who gained three As and a B and Zoe Davies, who secured an A, two Bs and a C. Gareth, who transferred to the sixth form in Rhiwabon after successfully completing his GCSEs at Ysgol y Grango, will proceed to university at Cardiff where he will study chemistry. Cardiff could also be the destination for Zoe. She has chosen to study law but has to decide between places at Cardiff and Bangor.
Mrs Williams paid tribute to the support of parents and efforts of the students and the staff of Ysgol Rhiwabon and other establishments where some collaborative courses are taught.
Eiddwyn Hall, head teacher of the Maelor School in Penley, expressed his delight with the A-level results attained by this year’s sixth form.
All of the students gained two or more A-level passes with 93 per cent gaining three or more. The majority of students achieved four or more passes.
Among the results were some excellent individual achievements with one student earning five grade As, a further two gained four grade As and a grade B. Two students achieved three A grades and one B grade in their A-levels. In addition they also attained excellent results at AS.
“Our congratulations go to all of our students who have worked hard over the past two years to attain these results and we wish them well with their future careers,” said Mr Hall.
Castell Alun’s 50th celebratory year is coming to a triumphant conclusion with the school’s outstanding performance at A-level where 100 per cent of students achieved pass grades of A-E with A-C passes of over 83 per cent.
Headteacher David Mountfort said: “Through hard work and commitment, our students have excelled themselves 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.”
The many students who achieved success include Amy Swain with four A grades in mathematics, French, art and design and economics. Amy will now go on to study French and Italian Studies at Warwick University.
Both Ben Guy and Ben Thomas are destined for Cambridge where they will read Anglo/Celtic History and Natural Sciences respectively as a result of their four grade As.
Matthew Holland, a student who has taken many leading role in school productions, will now concentrate on dance and drama after achieving A grades in music, drama, chemistry and mathematics.
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