Llanidloes High School's A-level and vocational qualification results have been described as "absolutely stellar" after more than 50 per cent of the grades were A* or A.
Daniel Owen, headteacher, said Year 13 had overcome the challenges of the past two years to secure "extraordinary academic success".
"The results have been absolutely stellar, in fact, over half of the grades that were rewarded to students at Llanidloes Sixth Form both in terms of A-levels and vocational qualifications have all been an A* or A so that is something which is unprecedented.
"The students and the staff are receiving the rich rewards of all their hard work and resilience through a very very challenging period."
For two out of the three years prior to the pandemic, Llanidloes Sixth Form was in The Sunday Times top ten Sixth Forms in Wales.
Among those who collected their results today (Thursday, August 18) was Lucy Lee-Jervis, from Llanidloes. She is taking a different route after completing her A-levels where from next week she will be joining car maker BMW in Oxford to complete an apprentice degree in business after she was one of two successful applicants chosen from more than 3,000 people. Lucy, who achieved two A*s, A and a Distinction*, said the last two years have been a "whirlwind but I couldn't have done it without my friends, they made it top tier".
Head Girl Jess Taylor from Llanidloes is off to Oxford University to read history after she achieved three A*s. in English, History and Politics. Jess said: "I was really nervous - I knew I had got into my university but I was still a bit on edge, but it all went really well. It's been stressful, a lot of work, but it's paid off."
She added: "I've been in Llani since I was three years old going all the way through school so to not see some of these people again is going to be really strange. It upsets me a little but at the same time I'm really looking forward to moving on and going to do new things. I can't wait to explore somewhere new."
Madeline Morris, from Llanidloes, had plans to take a gap year and travel to Canada after she was placed on the reserve list for her first choice university - Cardiff. However, she received the best news this morning when Cardiff University rang her to say that she had got a place on their dentistry course after achieving two A*s and two As.
"It's honestly amazing," Madeline said. "It's definitely been a shock to the system!"
"I think the biggest thing that got me was that I had no idea how I'd perform having not done exams since Year 10. With all the predictions it made me doubt my ability but obviously I have come out with the grades that I never thought I'd get - it's amazing."
Thomas Jerman from Trefeglwys is off to Harper Adams to study Rural Enterprise and Land Management after achieving two A*s and two As. He said: "Now I can go and do what I've always wanted to do and it's something I'm really interested in."
Referring to studying during the Covid-19 pandemic, he added: "It's been tough and challenging, but now it feels good that we've overcome it."
Fran Brandon-Higgs, who lives in Trefeglwys, said receiving an A and two A*s was "surreal" and now plans to take a year out to gather her thoughts before going to university to read English Literature.
Notable results
Fran Brandon-Higgs (A*A*A) - Gap year
Josh Bryan (Dist*AAAAB) - Mechanical Engineering at Liverpool University
Declan Butt (A*A*A) - Gap year
Luna Ellis-Keeping (A*AA) - Law at Nottingham University
Christian Evans (A*A*A*) - Gap year
Rebecca Jarman-Jones (A*AA) - Art degree
Iwan Jerman (AAAB) - Geography and Sport at Loughborough University
Thomas Jerman (A*A*AA) - Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams
Lucy Lee-Jervis (A*A*A Dist*) - Degree apprenticeship with BMW
Maddie Morris (A*A*AA) - Dentistry at Cardiff University
Caitlin Owen (A*A*A*A*) - Gap year
Tomas Owen (A*A*A) - Aeronautical Engineering at Loughborough University
Rosie Rees (A*A*Merit) - Occupational Therapy at Cardiff University
Trin Stephens (A*A*) - Art degree
Jess Taylor (A*A*A*) - History at Oxford University
Trinity Stephens, from Cwm Belan, hopes to study art on a foundation course before applying to read Fine Art at university after achieving two A*s at A level. She said the past two years have "definitely been tough".
"It's not been impossible. Everybody has achieved what they wanted to achieve. I would definitely love to thank my art teacher Miss Smith and Dr Creasey who teaches marine sciences."
Trinity added: "In Llani, you're in such a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone and everyone supports everyone. It feels such a nice environment to learn in."
Jack Williams, from Caersws, collected his results - A, two Bs and a Merit - with friends at the school this morning. He said he was "happy, relieved and very chuffed" to be going to study sports performance in Cardiff which he hopes will lead to a career at a club.
Aspiring RAF engineer Tom Owen said he was "pretty excited and very pleased" with his two A*s and two As which has secured him a place to study aeronautical engineering at Loughborough University. The student from Newtown said about his time at Llanidloes High School: "I'm not going to miss the work but I'm going to miss the people and the teachers - they've been really helpful."
Harvey George, from Newchapel, said he felt "good and happy" to get an A*, A and two Bs in his A levels. The Head Boy is going to study fashion communication at Brighton University.
Iwan Jerman, from Carno, achieved three As and a B which means he will be going to study sport and geography at Loughborough University.
"That was my first choice so it's good that I got in. I'm really happy."
Iwan added: "It has been challenging at times with Covid but especially after Covid it notched up a gear and things started to kick in and I was enjoying it. Exams came and they went well. I'm happy."
Headteacher Daniel Owen said he was "deeply proud" of the students and hopes the school will be included again in The Sunday Times top ten Sixth Forms in Wales.
"Many have secured places at Oxbridge or Russell Group universities, others are starting highly competitive apprenticeships including one student who was selected from over 3,000 applicants to start a degree apprenticeship with BMW, others are taking a gap year to carry out volunteer work or travel, and others are starting exciting employment opportunities.
"Our students’ achievement is all the more impressive given that this summer’s exams were their first external assessments. Their success demonstrates their resilience and character, the smashing support provided by staff and parents, and the steps taken by Qualifications Wales and Welsh Government to take into account the exceptional circumstances of the past two years.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of our fantastic staff team for teaching and supporting our students so effectively. Their hard work and professionalism have yielded a stellar set of results.”
Chair of Governors, Mrs Margot Jones, said, “Congratulations to our wonderful students on their excellent results and to our marvellous team of staff. Each year, our A-level results serve as a reminder of why local Sixth Form education is overwhelmingly the most popular post-16 choice of students and parents across the county. I am so proud of all the students and staff.”
In a message to students, Mrs Jerman (Head of Sixth Form) and Dr Simon Creasey (Assistant Head of Sixth Form), said: “Congratulations everyone on your superb results! We’re so proud of you all and wish you well as you move onto exciting new pastures. Please pop in, or get in touch, to give us regular updates on how you’re getting on.”
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