Pupils really make the grade by scoring best-ever GCSE resul
Quote:
EXCITED students all over the borough last week woke up to Blaenau Gwent’s best-ever GCSE results.
The overall number of GCSE grades A* to C has broken the 60% barrier for the first time, with this year's figure of 61% an increase of 5.2% on last year's results.
This goes far beyond the 2009 Welsh average increase of 0.5%.
Coun Steve Bard, Blaenau Gwent council’s executive member for education, said:
“I would like to congratulate all our young people and their teachers on their excellent results – our best-ever at GCSE to follow our best-ever A-level results.
“This is a great achievement for our young people and they couldn't have done it without the support of their families, our teachers and schools.”
The number of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades has reached 49.5%, which is up by more than 4% on the numbers from last year.
Abertillery Comprehensivehead, Pauline Thomas, said: “Staff and students at the school are absolutely delighted.
“Some of the children receiving results today are in Year 10 and have taken some GCSEs a year early, with very high pass rates and a number of A* grades.”
Some of their high achievers include Bethan Thomas with eight A*s, four As and a B, Callum Webley with six A*s, four As and a B, and Alex Read with five A*s, five As and two Bs.
At Tredegar Comprehensive, head Anna Foote, said: “The majority of students have achieved their potential, and many have exceeded it.
“We are particularly proud of our students who came to the school with no English from other countries and have achieved nine or 10 GCSEs.” David Sedlak who spoke no English on arriving in Tredegar, received his results in Czechoslovakia and celebrated an amazing 10 A*s and one A.
Many of the boys stole the show in Ebbw Vale, with 42% achieving five or more A* to C grades.
Headteacher Mick Fahy, said: “We have focused attention to reduce underachievement of boys and this has paid dividends this year again.
“The results reflect a great deal of hard work from all the students who are to be congratulated on their achievements,.
“It also highlights the dedication of staff and support of parents.”
Some outstanding students included, Jordan Coughlin with seven A*/As and three Bs, Daniel Butler with eight As and two Bs and Ben Jones with six A*/As and four Bs.
In Brynmawr, 67% of pupils achieved A* to C grades.
Head James Retallick said: “Once again Brynmawr pupils have produced outstanding GCSE results.
“Students and staff are delighted with the results achieved.
“The pass rate overall is an excellent achievement for the school, the students, staff and parents. “
At Nantyglo, star student, Katie Paul, achieved eight A*s and two As.
Headteacher Wes Hinwood said: “We are delighted with our GCSE results, really pleased.”
Again, there were smiles all round at Glyncoed Comprehensive.
Headteacher Colin James said: “All staff have worked together to develop our Key Stage Four curriculum over the past two years and all the hard work put in has really paid off this year.
“I am very proud of both our staff and pupils for producing such high standards.
“The results are thoroughly deserved and make 2009 another successful year for the school.”
Among the many excellent individual results were Jazz Callen-Davies with four A*s, two As, two Bs and one C.
Lloyd Hayes took home two A*s and seven As, and amateur actress Laura Quantick walked away happy with three A*s, two As and four Bs.
TWO years of hard work, endless exams and applications are finally over for the bright young things of Blaenau Gwent.
While pupils celebrated, the four comprehensives raised a glass to better grades across the board and another good year.
A-C grades rose 5% from 2008 (75%) and the A-E pass rate remained stable at 96%.
The number of pupils who achieved two or more A-Level passes has also risen by 5% since 2008 to over 90%.
Coun Steve Bard, Blaenau Gwent Council's executive member for education, said everyone involved in the process should be very proud.
“Well done to everyone for Blaenau Gwent's excellent set of results. This is a great achievement for our young people and they couldn't have done it without the support of their families, our teachers and schools,” he said.
“Once again we can see that the hard work of pupils and their teachers is opening doors in higher education for our young people.
“Pupils across Blaenau Gwent are achieving at the highest level.
“Pupils from Blaenau Gwent are demonstrating they can achieve even more – they can now aspire to anything that they wish to do in their future lives.”
Each school also offered their own personal congratulations for individual achievements.
Ebbw Vale Comprehensive saw their A-C grades jump by 7% to 80%, while their A-E mark was 96%.
Notable pupils included Scott Bevis (AAAD), Amanda Brake (AAA), Ryan Stevens (AAA) , Rebecca Geary (AABB) and Heidi Carter (AAB).
The school attributed their successes to the sustained dedication of the students, staff and parents, and also praised a collaboration with Tredegar Comprehensive to offer a wider range of subjects.
Brynmawr Comprehensive also savoured a record breaking year, with 76% of entries securing A-C grades and six students achieving straight As.
Headteacher James Retallick, wishing the students well for their future, said it was particularly good to see pupils from all over the borough come to the school for sixth form work.
“The results mean we are once again one of the best performing schools in the UK at A-Level .
“It is a truly outstanding achievement which we intend to build upon to reach even higher heights in years to come,” he said.
Nantyglo Headteacher Wes Hinwood also took the chance to congratulate his students for another good year of hard work and results.
“I am absolutely delighted with the results, the youngsters have done extremely well, and the vast majority are off to their first choice university,” he said.
“It is a reflection of the hard work of the pupils and the staff here at the school.”
Meanwhile, Coleg Gwent watched more than 450 of its students sit more than 1,000 A-Level examinations with a pass rate of 97.43%.
In addition, 10 students notched up a full sweep of four A grades, and 20 students achieved a trio of A grades.
Principal Howard Burton said: “Both staff and students should be extremely proud of themselves. These results, along with our excellent vocational results, are a superb testimony to the hard work and commitment of everyone at the College. All these students have a fantastic future ahead of them and we wish them all the very best of luck as they take up their next challenge.”
We certainly are Carolyn. To be fair though Bethan worked very hard for her marks so she deserved her success. As far as I am concerned that is the most important thing - do the best you can . If you do then your parents have every right to be proud of you
