Powys pupils have once again achieved excellent A-Level results in the WJEC examinations.
More than five out of every 10 results (54 per cent) were at grades A*, A and B with six per cent at the new A* grade and a further 18 per cent at grade A.
Almost everyone who took an A-Level in Powys passed (98 per cent). The results for 2010 are slightly lower than 2009, mirroring the All Wales trend, but Powys results are once again significantly higher than those for Wales and England.
The Powys WJEC results at grades A*-B are more than four per cent higher than the All-Wales figures (all boards) maintaining the outstanding progress seen since 2001.
Councillor David Jones, Board Member for Schools and Inclusion, and Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones, chairman of the people scrutiny committee, said: “These are excellent results, clearly reflecting the dedication and hard work of pupils and teachers in Powys schools.
“Our warm congratulations go to all the young people on their well deserved achievements and to all those who have supported them throughout their school careers. We wish all the students every success for the future.”
At LLANDRINDOD WELLS HIGH SCHOOL headteacher Carol Morgans was delighted with her pupils’ excellent exam grades.
The overall pass rate at A level A*-E grades was 98 per cent with 90 per cent achieving A*-C grades. Some of the highest achievers included James Tattersall, James Evans, Glen Lewns with 3As and 1B, Katie Kendrick with 3As and 1A*, Rhydian Lewis with 1A* and 2As and Tamara Cmiljic with 3As.
“Yet again the pupils have achieved excellent exam grades and it is down to the commitment and hard work of the pupils and the dedication and high expectations of the staff and the support of the pupils’ families. It is a tremendous achievement and we wish them all very well for the future.”
At JOHN BEDDOES HIGH SCHOOL in Presteigne, pupils, staff and parents were also celebrating very good results, which improved on last year’s.
The pupils achieved a 97 per cent pass rate at A-E grades with 79 per cent achieving A*-C grades.
All students achieved well but some deserved a special mention, including Briony Trussler who got 2A*, 1A and 1A and 1B at AS level, Lauren Davies, Ruth Corbett, Georgina Weiland and Will Collins.
Head Glyn Richards said: “I would like to congratulate all the students and staff for their hard work and dedication and I wish all the students every success in the future.
“This is a reflection of the time and effort that has been put in by staff and students over the last two years at John Beddoes School as we continue our push to improve standards and opportunities for our Sixth Form students.”
BUILTH WELLS HIGH SCHOOL gained some of the best exam results they have ever got.
Headteacher Shan Davies said: “We have had some truly stunning results. We had a bigger year group then we had last year and six per cent of our A level pupils got the new grade A*, which is wonderful.”
Some 97 per cent of pupils at A level achieved A*-E grades with 83 per cent getting A*-C grades. Some of the highest grade achievers included Catrin Lloyd with 1A* and 4As, Bethan MacKenzie with 1A* and 4As, Harriet Walker with 1A* and 4As, Matthew Goodwin with 1A* and 4As, Harry Savage with 1A*, 2As, 1B and 1C, and Andrew Carrington with 3As and 1B.
At LLANIDLOES HIGH SCHOOL all pupils entered for the A levels achieved A*-E grades, securing a 100 per cent pass rate. And 82 per cent of pupils achieved A*-C grades.
Some of those getting the highest grades were Ben Thorner with 4A* and 1A, Beatrice Wallbank with 2A* and 2As, Adam Martin with 1A* and 2As and Anand Parikh with 1A* and 2As.
Assistant head of Sixth Form Dr Simon Creasey said: “We are really happy with the results. All the learners have done superbly well and we congratulate them all.
“It’s a reflection of all the hard work that the students and staff have put in and we hope to continue with our progress next year.”
At LADY HAWKINS SCHOOL in Kington, 94 per cent of pupils achieved A*-E grades with 53 per cent gaining A*-C grades.
Amongst the excellent results were Helen Smith who gained 3A* and 1A, James Griffiths who achieved 4As, Zaneta Matuszewska who got 1A*, 2As and 1D, Max Guyud with 1A*, 1A and 1B and Olivia Coppock with 2As, 1B and 1C.
Headteacher Gary House said: “Students, staff and parents have much to celebrate in this set of results.
“The inclusive nature of the school is reflected in results ranging from high flyers gaining as many as three of the new A* grades and 1 A grade, through to several students who joined with English as a second language who also gained an A* grade and A grades at A level; finally a student with a ‘statement of educational need’ also gained three A level passes.
“This results set is due reward for the hard work and dedication of staff, students and their families. I want to say ‘well done’ to all concerned.”