A-LEVEL students across Monmouthshire are celebrating their success.

More than 400 students have recieved their examination results, enabling them to progress to the next steps in university, colleges and work places all over Britain.

Across the county the percentage of students achieving the very highest grades was consistent with last year’s results with 29 per cent of papers graded A* or A. This compares positively with the national performance of 26.3 per cent. The overall pass rate in Monmouthshire was 98 per cent.

There has been a further increase across Monmouthshire in the number of students achieving the Level 3 threshold (of two A levels grades A-E) to 98.3 per cent, an increase of 1.0 per cent from last year.

At Chepstow School, 32 per cent of students achieved A* to A. 13 per cent of students achieved three or more A* to A grades, while 52 per cent achieved A* to B grades. 98 per cent of students achieved the Level 3 threshold of at least two A-levels.

A number of students achieved exceptional grades, including Catrin Williams who will be reading Human Sciences at Magdalene College, Oxford, having achieved two A* grades and an A.

The school’s Head Student team all achieved highly, alongside their great contributions to the school. Joseph Summers achieved four A grades and will be studying Philosophy and Economics at London School of Economics. Rebecca Ham achieved one A* two As and will be studying English and Modern Languages at Exeter. Lisa Griffith is also going to Exeter to study Modern Languages, having achieved two A* and two B grades. Jess Sariak achieved four BTEC Distinction* grades (equivalent to A*) and one A, and is studying Events Management at Coventry.

Megan Stewart achieved three A* and an A, and will be studying Economics and International Law at Exeter, Robbie Scudamore achieved two A* and two A grades, and will be studying Mathematics and Music at Royal Holloway University of London and Harry Lewis achieved two A* grades and an A, and will be studying Physics with Theoretical Physics at the University of Manchester.

Rosie Hathaway achieved three As and a B and will be studying Biomedical Science at University of Birmingham, Matthew Bonvoisin achieved three As and will be studying Geology at Bristol University.

Bethany Meling achieved three Distinction* grades in Business Studies, Daisy Nightingale achieved one BTEC-starred Distinction, two As and a C and will be studying Business Management and Marketing at Birmingham, and Ruby Richards achieved one Distinction* and two As, and will be studying Psychology at Bristol.

Tony Price, head of sixth form, said: “We are so immensely proud of our students and their achievements today. Today’s results are a culmination of the collective hard work of students, parents/carers and teachers over the last two years.

“These fabulous young people have demonstrated determination and resilience whilst at the same time contributing daily to the energy and ethos of Chepstow School. We wish them every success in the future.”

Craig Bridgeman, chair of governors, said: “On behalf of the governing body, I want to congratulate all our young learners on their successful results. As ever, the inspiring learning experiences at Chepstow School are reflected in our students’ outstanding performances. I want to thank the dedicated staff at the school and the parents who collectively provide the support, belief and guidance to improve our young people’s future lives.”

The Wyedean School community is also celebrating another set of strong results in A-levels and BTECs. Against the backdrop of the national context in England of reformed linear A-levels and universities making more unconditional offers, the number of higher grades awarded first place UCAS choice at university as well as the range of universities as well as the range of universities and degree courses. The number of A* to B achieved were 35 per cent for A-level with a near-100 per cent pass rate. 13 per cent achieved A* to A, around double what the school estimated.

Of a number of highlights for the school, Erin O’Connell achieved two Distinction* and a B, and is going on to studying Nannying at the prestigious Norland College in Bath. Ellen Durbin, who achieved one A and two Bs in English, Maths and History, is going to Birmingham to read Archaeology and Ancient History, and Tom Rees achieved three As and a B in Chemistry, Maths, Graphics and Music. He will be studying Creative Music Technology at University of the West of England.

Director of sixth form and assistant principal, Jonathan Lane, said: “These very positive results represent another strong and solid year for our students especially given the additional rigorous demands on students and schools from the reforms of linear A-levels in England and the new specifications for BTEC. Our students have achieved a great deal individually over their time at Wyedean and we wish them well for the next stages of their lives going forward.”

Principal, Rob Ford said: “We are so proud of our remarkable young people at Wyedean and today is not only about celebrating their achievements with these results but also the opportunities they have taken to develop themselves as individuals though the wider curriculum which epitomises the Wyedean approach towards education. These young people going on to university, apprenticeships and employment are the inspirational role models for the students in the lower school and we have an incredible aspirational Post 16 model of excellent education at Wyedean School that continues to attract students from our communities in the Forest of Dean and Monmouthshire. These are great days in education to celebrate young people.”

Students at Caldicot School are celebrating their achievements as they receive their A-level results. This is the first year students gave studied reformed A-level qualifications, which have been introduced by the Welsh Government to increase rigour to the assessment process.

94 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades, and 22 per cent of all the grades awarded were A* or A.

“This set of results is the culmination of a determined effort by students, staff and parents, and is a reward for two years of hard work,” said Simon Rees, acting head teacher. “We are particularly pleased with the number of students who achieved A* to C grades.”

Peter Nurcombe, chair of governors, added: “These results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students and staff. The governing body joins me in wishing these young people every success in their futures.”

County Councillor Richard John, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for education commented: “A-level results day is so important for our students and young people. Today I am delighted to see how well our students across all of our schools have done – these fantastic results are a real indicator of how hard the students and teachers have worked over the last two years. At this time my focus is that the young people get the qualifications they need to progress to the next stage of their adult lives, wherever that may be.

“I think it is also important that we recognise the support that our students receive from their parents and carers. They should look forward with great confidence as they start the next stages of their lives, be that in education or work.”

Will McLean, Chief Officer for Children and Young People added: “In a period of change and reform at both school and higher education institutions I am very pleased at what our schools have achieved. Our young people, their families and school staff who have supported and encouraged them for the last two years can be proud of what they have achieved. Monmouthshire’s results compare favourably with national outcomes and I know that our schools will be very pleased with this. For all of our students they have been given a tremendous foundation to go into their futures confident in what they know and confident in their abilities.”

Nationally, A-level students have been awarded the highest proportion of As and A*s since 2012.

In Wales, 26.3 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades. The overall pass rate was 97.4 per cent.

Students looking for advice, no matter what their results, are encouraged to visit the Careers Wales website on www.careerswales.com/

For more photos buy your copy of next week’s Chepstow Beacon, in shops on 22nd August.