Students across Wrexham celebrate their GCSE Results

It’s a nerve wracking day for thousands of students across Wrexham who are eagerly waiting to find out the results of their GCSEs.

In 2016 well over half (57%) of students achieved the Level 2+ Threshold indicator, which means at least 5 A*-C passes including English or Welsh (first language) and Maths.

In total, 1206 pupils sat a broad range of GCSE, vocational and skills qualifications. This is the first year when many of the qualifications have been introduced.

Half of Wrexham pupils have achieved 5 A*-C grades inclusive of English/Welsh and maths. The percentage of pupils achieving 5 grades at A*/A has increased by 3%.

This year, for the first time, pupils are receiving their results for new ‘made in Wales’ English Language, Welsh Language, English Literature, Welsh Literature, Mathematics Numeracy and Mathematics GCSEs which are unique to Wales.

Coleg Cambria

Over 500 Coleg Cambria students are delighted today after achieving an A*-C in their GCSE resits in English Language and/or Mathematics.

All of the students had previously achieved GCSE grade D or below or without any GCSEs.

Eighty-nine students improved their GCSE grades by more than two grades, following their one year GCSE programme at the College

Eighty nine students improved their GCSE grades by more than two grades, following their one year GCSE programme at the College.

Sue Price, Principal of Coleg Cambria said, “These results show how all learners can have a second chance and improve their skills at Coleg Cambria.

“Literacy and numeracy are a key element of our college programmes for learners and we are committed to ensuring that all students have a chance to resit their English and Maths GCSEs where they need to and to improve these important skills, in order to help them in their future employment.”

Ysgol Rhiwabon

Students and staff at Ysgol Rhiwabon are celebrating the best ever results at Key Stage 4 with a significant improvement, building on last year’s success.

The school is delighted to report;

· 100% of students leaving Ysgol Rhiwabon with 5 GCSE passes or their equivalent

· 5 A* – C grades including English and Mathematics at a record high with over half the students achieving this challenging measure

· A* – C pass rate in the core subjects, English, Mathematics and Science at a record high

· A notable increase in GCSE A*/A grades

Details released by Ysgol Rhiwabon this morning state: “The school is proud of the achievements of this year’s students as they prepare for sixth form studies or the world of work.

“The results are particularly pleasing as they have been secured against harder examination measures and new specifications; for this reason alone the students should be congratulated on their fantastic success.

“The grades are a testament to the incredible amount of hard work from students and staff, with lots of support from home and the local community.”

Headteacher, Mrs Ferron-Evans said: “We are proud and delighted with this set of results. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, students and parents for the incredible amount of hard work and dedication shown, across a wide range of subjects.

“Ysgol Rhiwabon continues to improve significantly and this year’s record achievements are a great cause for us to celebrate. The results will enable our young people to further their studies at sixth form or to enter the world of work as confident and successful individuals.

“We wish them continued success and happiness in the future’’

The Maelor School

Staff and students were over the moon with a superb set of GCSE results at The Maelor School, Penley.  A quarter of the pupils achieved 5 A* and A grades, a record number for the school. There was also a highest ever number of A*-C grades in the new English Language paper as well as a record number of higher grades awarded in Maths.

Headteacher Simon Ellis commented: “They have worked incredibly hard to achieve these excellent grades, I am proud of them all, especially the high number who have achieved all A* and A grades.  The year group have seen many curriculum changes from government but despite this they have performed remarkably.”

Deputy Headteacher Joanne Lee who was also their Head of Year for two years added: “It is so satisfying to see so many mature young people achieve the grades they deserve.  They have been a delight to work with and I look forward to seeing many of them continuing their education with us in our sixth form”

St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School

St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School is celebrating the significant exam successes of its Year 11 pupils.

Some individuals worthy of special note include our Head Boy and Head Girl – Tom Lloyd (Borras Park Primary) and Charlotte Hawkins (St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School) who, along with Grace Amedor (St. Giles Primary School), Cara Bird (St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School) and Cara Roberts (Acton Primary) achieved a stunning 14 or more A*/A grades.

In addition to this, a fifth of our Year 11 pupils achieved 10 or more of the top A*/A grades, and 28% of pupils achieving the coveted 5 or more A*/A grades.

The school has again see superb performances in the core subjects, in particular in the three GCSE separate Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) where over 50% of pupils achieved A*/A grades. In each of the above, 100% of pupils achieved A*-C grades.

GCSE Mathematics / Numeracy, English Language, and English Literature are all above the Wales national averages for 2016-17. A* / A grades for GCSE Mathematics / Numeracy are 16% above the national average.

As the only school in Wrexham to offer GCSE German, St Joseph’s have seen 100% of its pupils achieved A*-C grades, with 60% of those at A*/A grade.

The school is also celebrating excellent Welsh Baccalaureate results, and outstanding success in the new Skills Challenge certificate where 91% of the cohort achieved a GCSE A*-C grade, and 31% of the cohort achieved A*/A grades.

As ever, a huge proportion of our pupils enjoy significant success, and this has led to be the best ever results for some of our other subjects including GCSE English Language and GCSE PE.

Headteacher, Mr C. Wilkinson, said: “The outstanding achievements and results of this Year 11 cohort are the fruition of five years of dedication and determination, where the pupils and staff of St. Joseph’s – who in partnership with our parents work tirelessly to ensure that every child reaches their full potential.

“I am delighted with the academic success that our pupils have enjoyed today, and I am proud that alongside this, they have grown to become mature young adults ready to play a full part in society. It is my prayer that they continue to be richly blessed in next stage of their learning”.

The school’s Open Evening for Year 7 entry in September 2018 is on Monday 18th September. Further details will be available on the school website stjosephs.wales

Ysgol Dinas Bran

This year the school has seen some particularly strong performances in Art, Biology, Chemistry and Physics where the pass-rate was 100%. Over 50% of grades awarded in the Separate Sciences were A* or A.

There were some fantastic individual performances including a host of students who achieved the very top grades. Twins Lucy and Emma Brown (from Llangollen) who each gained an incredible ten A* grades, four grades and distinctions in Additional Maths. Laura and Sarah Gibbs (Llangollen) –also twins – performed very well – Laura achieving eight A* grades, four A grades, two B grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths, Sarah four A* grades, eight A grades, two B grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths.

There were tremendous results, too, for Zoe Nicholas (Llangollen), Laura McAndrew (Glyndyfrdwy) and Sephorah Evans (Corwen) who all achieved nine A* grades and three A grades, together with Distinctions in Additional Maths. Megan Jones (Corwen) achieved six A* grades, four A grades, and a Distinction in Additional Maths and Eve Barrett (Llangollen) was awarded six A* grades, two A grades and a Distinction in Additional Maths.

Martyn Froggett, headteacher, said: “We are really pleased for all our students. They have worked really hard and deserve their success.

“We are looking forward to seeing many of the students back in our Sixth Form in September. Great praise and thanks to the staff who have supported them and helped them achieve so well.”

Ysgol Clywedog

Students at Ysgol Clywedog are celebrating record results after publication of their GCSE results, with 97% of students gaining five or more GCSEs.

Head teacher Mr Matt Vickery said “I am pleased with the performance of all the Year 11 students. The results confirm the continuing progress of the school. There has been another record breaking success with 97% of students gaining 5 or more GCSE grades. We are so pleased that our students have performed well.

“These results are testimony to the incredible hard work and dedication of the staff and students at the school. Everyone has worked tirelessly to achieve such success and is to be congratulated.

“I am very proud of what has been achieved and know that the students thoroughly deserve these excellent results.”

The school also saw several exceptional individual performances, leading to a record number of top A and A* grades at Ysgol Clywedog:

Abbie Whiting 8A* 6A 1B
Edan Jackson 8A* 6A 1B
Alex Williams 5A* 4A 4B
Lucy Williams 4A* 7A 2B
Elise Davies 2A* 10A 1B
Matthew Jones 2A* 3A 8B
Megan Owen 1A* 8A 4B
Reiss Moore 1A* 5A 5B

This year’s results will be a milestone because, for the first time, students sat GCSE English exams unique to Wales. This qualification follows the made-in Wales maths papers first sat last November.

Ysgol Clywedog is also looking forward to a record number students continuing their education at post 16

Councillor Phil Wynn, Lead Member Education, said: “I wish to extend a message of congratulations to our pupils for their hard work and commitment to their studies and for achieving their personal goals.

“I wish them well as they now enter the world of further education, training or employment. We will continue to support our schools as together we aspire to achieve educational excellence for young people in Wrexham.”

Ian Roberts, Wrexham’s Head of Education said: “I warmly congratulate our young people. With support from their teachers, parents and carers, they have worked very hard to achieve success.

“There has been many outstanding achievements by students of all abilities. The Local Authority and GwE, the regional school improvement service will continue to work with our schools to ensure all of our pupils achieve their potential.”