Powys pupils' superb GCSE results despite difficult year

Figures show Welsh GCSE results are up across the board despite living through continual lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021, with statistics revealing that the percentage of entries awarded the top grades (7/A or above) in Wales is up to 28.7 per cent – a rise of over three per cent (up from 25.5 per cent) from last year.

Following on from excellent A Level results earlier this week, Ysgol Llanfyllin students have once again achieved wonderful GCSE results that provide a great foundation to move onto further education or the world of work.

“We are very proud of the achievements of our students, especially during this very challenging year,” said headteacher Dewi Owen.

“This group of students has had to cope with school closures, lockdowns, learning online and then sitting a huge variety of assessments in all GCSE and BTEC subjects. This is the first set of GCSE results for the school in its new incarnation as an all-age setting – an amazing start.”

There were outstanding individual performances, including eight students who achieved all A* and A grades.

These included:

Jocelyn McKenzie – 10 A* grades

Sienna Williams – 9 A* and 1 A grade

Pippa Evans – 8 A* and 2 A grades

Olivia Roberts – 6 A* and 5 A grades

Coran Green – 6 A* and 4 A grades

Carys Jones – 5 A* and 5 A grades

Deri McCluskey – 5 A* and 5 A grades

Rose Lewis – 2 A* and 8 A grades

In combination with their GCSEs, many students completed vocational courses across a range of subjects and their levels of achievement are equally impressive with a 100 per cent pass rate in BTEC qualifications, including in engineering, performing arts, sport and agriculture, the majority being at distinction and distinction*.

Tilly Everton, Charlotte Chance, Zak Baker, Carwyn Hardiman and Elin Williams, from Ysgol Calon Cymru's Llandrindod campus

“These results not only reflect the excellent effort and attitude of the students but also the hard work and diligence shown by our highly committed teachers, supported and encouraged by parents and governors,” added Mr Owen.

“This strength in our working partnership bodes well for the future as so many of our pupils return in September to embark on post-16 courses in the school’s newly refurbished sixth form centre.

“Congratulations to all – we are incredibly proud of you.”

Pupils at Ysgol Calon Cymru’s two campuses at Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells were also celebrating huge success amid testing times, with scores of stunning results.

“It was wonderful to welcome our pupils into both our campuses today to collect official confirmation of their summer results,” said headteacher Richard Jones.

“The grades our pupils have achieved is a real testament to their hard work and resilience they have shown over a difficult two years.

“We would like to extend a thank you to our staff, parents and carers and wider community for the support given to our pupils. I would like to wish all of our pupils the very best for what I am sure will be a very bright future.”

Notable results:

Builth Campus

Annie Cromie 10 A*s and 2 As

Will Davies 9 A*s and 1 A and 1 C

Elidh Hughes 8 A*s and 4 As

Henry Bonos 8 A*s, 3 As and 1 C

Llandrindod Campus

Ieuan Evans 10 A*s and 1 B

Carwyn Hardiman 1 Distinction, 11 A*s

Anwen Hardwick 10 A*s and 1 A

Chloe Hurst 9 A*s and 2 As

Welshpool High School said they are "incredibly proud" of their pupils and their achievements. "Year 11 pupils have worked exceptionally hard in what has been a very disruptive time in education and I want to congratulate them for the resilience they have shown and thank parents for the vital role they have played during periods of home learning," said headteacher Josh Kinsey.

"In partnership with our families, Welshpool High School staff have ensured that no pupil has been left behind, and we are confident that this year's results highlight the enormous effort of the whole school community.

"The grades achieved by pupils are a true reflection of their efforts, and a testament to how they have risen to the challenges faced during the pandemic. 

"I would like to congratulate all pupils and wish them every success as they move on to follow their ambitions."

Notable results:

Zoe de Zeeuw 11 A*s 

Kiera Gilliard 9 A*s 

Carys Davies 8 A*s

Fred Meredith 7 A*s

The Community College Bishop’s Castle is once again celebrating another year of excellent results. Even with the persistent disruptions caused by Covid-19, the students and staff at the college have worked tirelessly to continue to build on the excellent results they have had over the last three years.

Headline figures show that 86 per cent of students achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths, 38 per cent of all students attained one or more passes at Grade 7 or above.

Biology, chemistry and Spanish produced particularly exceptional results, with more than 50 per cent of those studying biology and chemistry achieving a Grade 7 or above. Many individual students gained excellent results, with some standout performances from Eleri Gittins and Ben Ellis who secured nine Grade 9s between them, as well as Megan Wooldridge, Lewis Beavan and Freya Davies who showed the most progress across their time at the community college.

Headteacher Reuben Thorley said: “Results day has been a pleasure to be part of. We are very proud of all of our students, especially with all of the disruption they have had to work through over the last two academic years.

“The resilience, hard work and effort put in by both students and staff has really paid off. The success is well deserved and sets our students up well for their next stage in life, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future.”

There was a real buzz of excitement at Ysgol Maesydderwen this morning, with Year 11 picking up their GCSE, Welsh Baccalaureate and BTEC results. All learners at the Ystradgynlais school are celebrating some excellent results and personal achievements which includes the following individual successes:

Natasha Amon-Kotei – 8A*, 4As

Amelia Hickey – 10A*, 3As

Elin Jones – 6A*, 3As

Kori Parker – 8A*, 3As

Joshua Roberts – 12A*, 1A

Lili Slatter – 7A*, 3As

Tiernagh Ulyett – 9A*, 3As

Oliver Young – 8A*, 3As

Headteacher Phil Grimes said: “We are incredibly proud of the positivity and resilience in which our learners have approached their studies this year.

“In the most difficult of times they have shown a sustained effort day in, day out. Everyone within the Maesydderwen community is delighted that their hard work has been rewarded with these set of results.

“Today’s results are due to a three-way commitment between staff, learners and parents. I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their part in the achievement of these fair, robust and accurate results.

“We very much look forward to welcoming the vast majority of the year group back in September for further studies and wish the best of luck to our learners who are moving onto pastures new.”